BIOGRAPHY 


OF 

ANDREW  JACKSON, 

PRESIDENT  OP  THE  UNITED  STATES, 

FORMERLY 

MAJOR  GENERAL 

INTHB 

ARMY  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 
BY  PHILO  A.  GOODWIN,  ESd. 


PUBLISHED  BY  CLAPP  AND  BENTON. 

1832. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  we  year  1832,  by  Clapp  and  Benton,  in 
the  Clerk's  office  of  the  District  of  Connecticut. 


PREFACE. 


THIS  volume  is  not  presented  to  the  public  in  igno 
rance  of  the  fact,  that  at  a  period  of  high  political 
excitement  like  the  present,  its  reception  by  many  will 
be  rather  ungracious.  Of  this,  we  are  not  disposed 
to  complain,  although  it  has  been  our  studious  endea 
vor  in  the  preparation  of  this  work  to  avoid  every 
thing  obnoxious  to  the  political  opponents  of  Andrew 
Jackson ;  unless,  indeed,  the  defence  of  his  public  acts, 
interwoven  with  the  detail  of  them,  should  produce 
this  eifect. 

It  may  be  a  matter  of  inquiry,  why  another  volume, 
detailing  the  leading  incidents  in  the  life  of  an  indi- 
dual  so  favorably  and  universally  known  as  that  of 
Andrew  Jackson,  should  be  added  to  the  multiplicity 
of  works  that  have  already  appeared  upon  the  same 
subject.  Under  circumstances  differing  from  those  in 
which  it  appears  before  the  public,  an  answer  to  the 
inquiry  could  not  perhaps  be  satisfactorily  made.  But 
it  will  be  recollected  that  the  biographical  details  of 
his  public  life,  of  any  note,  heretofore  published,  ap 
peared  immediately  after  the  termination  of  his  bril 
liant  military  career.  The  important  advantages  which 
the  exercise  of  his  talents  and  courage  had  achieved  for 

M97412 


ms  country  "in  the  fortunate  termination  of  Ihelxmfer 
wars  with  the  savage  nations  on  our  southwestern 
frontier,  and  those  of  a  still  greater  magnitude  result 
ing  from  his  single  triumph  over  our  civilized  foes, 
were  then  almost  universally  appreciated  by  his  coun 
trymen.  They  saw,  they  felt  and  acknowledged,  that 
the  benefits  his  valor  had  won,  were  of  no  puerile  or 
ordinary  description,  and  with  the  fulness  of  their 
appreciation  of  them,  their  gratitude  was  commensu 
rate.  The  mutterings  of  censure  were  indeed  occa 
sionally  heard,  but  they  were  soon  silenced  by  the 
light  of  truth  and  the  wholesome  rebuke  of  public 
sentiment.  But  emotions  of  gratitude  for  favors  re 
ceived,  are  often  weakened  by  time,  or  supplanted  by 
interest  or  prejudice,  which  may  account  for  the  fact 
of  subsequent  attempts  being  made,  to  depreciate  the 
merits  of  one  of  America's  most  distinguished  sons, 
and  of  whom  the  nation  may  be  justly  proud.  His 
acts,  and  the  motives  which  prompted  them,  have  been 
denounced,  and  before  the  tribunal  of  public  opinion 
been  subjected  to  the  severest  scrutiny  and  the  strict 
est  investigation ;  and  his  fame  has  passed  the  ordeal, 
with  a  lustre  still  brighter  and  more  imperishable. 
Our  object  has  been  to  present  a  history  of  his  actions 
in  the  light  in  which  this  investigation  has  placed 
them ; — to  what  extent  we  have  succeeded,  an  impar 
tial  public  will  decide. 

"  When  the  community  entertain  different  views 
of  the  conduct  or  motives  of  an  individual,  who  has 
acted  in  a  highly  responsible  capacity,  it  is  extremely 
difficult  to  concentrate  opinion  by  presenting  a  series 
of  truths.  Prejudice  operates  with  peculiar  force  on 
one  class,  while  the  other,  however  well  convinced  of 


PREFACE.  ,    V 

/    *  /••**• 

their  error,  are  unwilling  to  be  thought  inconsistent, 
and,  therefore,  never  acknowledge  the  falsity  of  the 
course  of  reasoning  they  have  once  adopted."  We 
are  not,  therefore,  unaware  of  our  exposure  to  cen 
sure,  in  the  publication  of  this  work,  from  those  who 
may  not  subscribe  to  the  character  delineated  of  its 
subject.  But  the  task  has  been  begun  and  completed 
with  purity  of  motive  and  honesty  of  purpose,  and 
whatever  animadversion  may  fall  to  our  share,  we 
trust  will  be  met  in  a  becoming  spirit  of  forbearance. 
We  have  not  the  vanity  to  believe  that  any  thing  it 
contains  will  influence  a  solitary  individual  in  his 
opinion  of  the  merits  or  demerits  of  Andrew  Jackson 
for  the  station  he  now  occupies  ;  yet  we  have  the 
satisfaction  of  reflecting,  that  the  suspicion  of  being 
influenced  by  such  a  motive,  can  with  no  degree  of 
justice  be  imputed  to  us,  for  its  circulation,  whatever 
it  may  be,  will  have  only  commenced  before  his  poli 
tical  destiny  will  have  been  decided. 

For  the  imperfections  of  this  work,  our  readers  will 
undoubtedly  exercise  a  proper  degree  of  indulgence 
— It  is  before  them,  and  will  have  its  day — it  will  re 
ceive  its  meed  of  approbation  and  censure,  and  be 
forgotten  ;  but  the  fame  of  the  illustrious  man,  who 
is  the  subject  of  it — his  exalted  patriotism — his  Ro 
man  virtue — his  unyielding  firmness  when  surrounded 
by  the  most  disheartening  and  inveterate  difficulties 
— his  skill  and  energy  in  planning  and  completing 
the  defence  of  his  country,  in  the  seasons  of  her  great 
est  peril — his  daring  courage  in  the  day  of  battle — 
his  upright  and  fearless  discharge  of  the  highly  re 
sponsible  duties  appertaining  to  the  presidency  of  this 

mighty  communion  of  states,  will  live,  as  noble  ex- 
A2 


VI  PREFACE. 

*    '  *  •    *. 

amples,  inspiring  the  love  of  glory  and  virtue,  long 
after  the  present  generation  of  men,  their  hopes  and 
fears,  their  joys  and  sorrows,  are  mingled  with  the 
dust  of  buried  ages. 

For  the  materials  which  compose  this  work,  we 
have  availed  ourselves  of  every  thing  within  our  reach, 
whether  furnished  by  friends  or  enemies.  For  the 
defence  of  several  of  General  Jackson's  public  acts, 
we  are  indebted  to  an  able  writer  of  Virginia.  A  small 
portion  of  the  detail  is  in  the  language  of  others  who 
have  heretofore  written  on  the  same  subject,  and 
which  has  been  used  without  the  usual  mark  of  cre 
dit;  other  characteristics,  however,  will  readily  dis 
tinguish  it.  An  appendix  had  been  contemplated,  for 
an  amplification  of  some  of  the  parts  which  consti 
tute  the  body  of  the  work:  the  extension  of  the  volume, 
however,  beyond  its  original  design,  has  rendered  its 
omission  necessary. 

THE  AUTHOR. 

Hartford,  Oct.  1st,  1832. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory  remarks — Birth  of  Mr.  Jackson — His  parentage— War 
of  the  Revolution — He  engages  in  the  war — Is  taken  prisoner — Re 
sists  the  command  of  a  British  officer — Mrs.  Jackson — Her  virtues 
—Her  death— Mr.  Jackson  an  orphan— Studies  law— Admitted  to 
the  bar— Removes  to  the  South  West  Territory — Appointed  attorney 
general— Member  of  the  Tennessee  convention— A  representative  in 
congress — A  senator  in  congress — Judge  of  the  supreme  court — 
Burr's  conspiracy — Charges  against  him  refuted 1 

CHAPTER  II. 

Mr.  Jackson  a  major  general — The  war  of  1812 — Causes  which  led  to 
it — Indian  hostilities — General  Harrison  checks  them — The  South- 
em  tribes — Tecumseh  appears  among  them — Excites  them  to  hos 
tility — The  Creeks — Their  hostile  preparations — Acts  of  congress 
for  raising  volunteers — General  Jackson  addresses  the  militia  of  his 
division — His  expedition  to  Natchez — Disobeys  the  order  of  the  se 
cretary  of  war — Is  justified — Creek  war — Massacre  of  Fort  Mimms 
— General  Jackson  marches  against  the  Creeks — Battle  of  Tallus- 
hatches — General  Jackson's  and  General  Coffee's  report  of  it. 

CHAPTER  III. 

Tennessee  forces— Message  of  General  White— Fortress  of  Talladega 
— Its  danger — General  Jackson  advances  to  its  protection — General 
White  refuses  to  form  a  junction  with  him — General  Jackson  crosses 
the  Coosa— Battle  of  Talladega — Official  report  of  it — Consequen 
ces  of  General  White's  conduct — General  Floyd — Battle  of  Autous- 
see — Official  report  of  it  —Difficulties  of  General  Jackson's  situation 
— Famine  and  mutiny  among  his  troops — His  firmness — Arrival  of 
supplies — Discontent  of  his  troops  continues — Governor  Blount — 
His  instructions — General  Jackson  dismisses  his  corps — New  troops 
raised— General  Claiborne — His  victory  upon  the  Alabama.  .  52 


Vlll  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Newly  raised  troops— They  arrive  at  Fort  Strother— Join  the  forces 
of  General  Jackson— He  marches  them  to  Talladega— The  enemy 
at  Emuckfaw  river — General  Jackson  advances  upon  them — Attacks 
them — His  official  report  of  the  battle — Important  results  of  his  vic 
tory — Operations  of  the  Georgia  forces — General  Floyd's  victory — 
The  Creeks  fortify  themselves  at  the  Horse-Shoe — General  Jackson 
attacks  them — Defeats  them — His  account  of  the  battle — He  is  cen 
sured  for  his  severity  to  the  Creeks — Causes  which  justified  his  treat 
ment  of  them — His  vindication 69 

CHAPTER  V. 

General  Jackson  returns  to  Fort  Williams — Marches  to  the  Hickory 
Grounds — Prospects  of  the  Creeks — They  sue  for  peace — General 
Pinckuey  arrives  at  Fort  Jackson — Interchange  of  courtesies  be 
tween  him  and  General  Jackson — General  Pirickney  assumes  the 
command — Disbands  the  troops — General  Jackson  returns  to  Ten 
nessee — His  reception  there — Is  appointed  to  negotiate  with  the 
Creeks — Eloquence  of  the  Chiefs — He  concludes  a  peace  with  them 
— Spanish  aggressions— Correspondence  between  General  Jackson 
and  Governor  Manriquez — General  Jackson  at  Mobile — Attack  on 
Fort  Bowyer — Major  Lawrence's  report  of  it 90 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Importance  of  Fort  Bowyer — Inadequacy  of  its  defence — Arrival  of 
General  Coffee  and  Tennessee  forces — General  Jackson  marches  to 
Pensacola — The  Spanish  Governor's  preparations  for  his  reception 
— General  Jackson  sends  Major  Pierre  with  a  flag — He  is  fired  at 
from  the  forts — General  Jackson  attacks  and  subdues  the  place — 
Colonel  Nicoll — His  proclamation — Censure  of  General  Jackson 
for  his  operations  in  the  Spanish  territory — The  legality  and  justice 
of  his  measures  defended. 110 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  safety  of  New  Orleans  menaced — General  Jackson  commences 
his  march  for  that  place — Defenceless  situation  of  Louisiana — Disaf 
fection  among  the  inhabitants — General  Jackson  arrives  at  New 
Orleans — Despondency  of  the  people — His  exertions  in  their  behalf 
— He  addresses  them,  and  makes  preparations  for  defence — Defec 
tion  of  the  French  population — Causes  that  led  to  the  proclamation 
of  martial  law — General  Jackson  proclaims  it — Defence  of  the  mea- 


CONTENTS.  IX 

sure — Arrival  of  reinforcements     Battle  of  the  twenty-third  of  De 
cember — Consequences  resulting  from  it.       ...   .•*.-, .  -v    .     120 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Effect*,  of  the  battle  of  the  twenty-third— Ladies  of  New  Orleans- 
Their  patriotic  exertions — American  lines  of  defence — General  Jack 
son's  exertions — Loss  of  the  schooner  Caroline — Battle  of  the  28th 
December— Battle  of  the  1st  January — Repulsion  of  the  enemy 
on  that  occasion — Sir  Edward  Pakenham — Discoveries  made  by 
time 138 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Belligerent  preparations — Arrival  of  Kentucky  reinforcements — Ope 
rations  of  General  Pakenham — Advances  upon  the  American  work* 
BATTLE  OF  NEW  ORLEANS— Result  of  the  battle— Retreat 
of  the  army— Fort  St.  Philips— Major  Overton's  gallant  defence  of 
it — Consequences  of  the  victory  of  New  Orleans — General  Jackson 
addresses  his  soldiers 147 

CHAPTER  X. 

Retrospection — General  Jackson  appoints  a  day  of  thanksgiving — Dr 
Dubourg's  address  to  General  Jackson — His  reply — Generals  Coffee, 
Carroll,  and  Adair — Their  merits — General  Jackson  still  continues 
to  strengthen  his  measures  of  defence — Treaty  of  peace  between  the 
United  States  and  England — General  Jackson's  farewell  address  to 
his  army 165 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Recapitulation — Facts  relative  to  the  proclamation  of  martial  law — 
Habeas  Corpus — Louallier — Judge  Hall — Defence  of  General  Jack 
son's  suspension  of  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus — He  is  arrested — His 
reasons  showing  cause  why  an  attachment  for  contempt  should  not 
be  heard  against  him — Consequences  that  would  result  from  a  strict 
adherence  to  the  civil  code  in  seasons  of  peril 174 

CHAPTER  XII. 

General  Jackson  returns  to  Nashville — Receives  the  congratulations  of 
his  countrymen — He  is  appointed  commander-in-chief  of  the  southern 
military  division  of  the  United  States — Vote  of  thanks  to  him,  from 
the  Tennessee  legislature — Repairs  to  Washington — Receives  the 
congratulations  of  the  citizens  of  Lynchburg  at  a  public  dinner — 
Returns  to  Nashville — Proceeds  from  thence  to  New  Orleans — Grate- 


X  CONTENTS. 

ful  reception  from  the  inhabitants— He  concludes  a  treaty  with  the 
Indians — Issues  a  general  order — Defence  of  it 194 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Causes  that  led  to  the  Seminole  war— General  Jackson  invades  Florida 
— Is  censured  for  it— Defence  of  the  measure— His  letter  to  the  go 
vernor  of  Georgia — Detail  of  the  causes  which  elicited  it — Destruc 
tion  of  the  Chehaw  village,  and  its  consequences 904 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

General  Jackson  arrives  at  Fort  St.  Marks — Captures  it — Censures  of 
him  for  his  operations  in  Florida — Circumstances  justifying  his  acts 
— Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister — Their  agency  in  producing  the  Semi 
nole  war — Justification  of  their  punishment — Detail  of  the  particu 
lars  of  the  Seminole  war  as  given  by  General  Jackson.  .  .  .  221 

CHAPTER  XV. 

General  Jackson  returns  to  Nashville — His  reception — Cession  of  the 
Floridas  to  the  United  States — General  Jackson  appointed  governor 
of  them — Delicacy  of  his  situation — His  proclamation  to  the  people 

—  Spanish  officers — Colonel  Callava — His  measures  in  relation  to 
them  justified 254 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

General  Jackson  resigns  the  government  of  the  Floridas — Is  nomina 
ted  by  the  Tennessee  legislature  for  the  presidency — Is  elected  to  the 
senate  of  the  United  States — Lafayette  visits  him  at  the  Hermitage 
— President  elected  by  the  house  "of  representatives — Mr.  Adams 
chosen — General  Jackson  again  nominated — Resigns  his  seat  in  the 
senate  in  consequence — His  address  to  the  Tennessee  legislature  on 
that  occasion — Visits  various  towns  in  Tennessee — His  replies  to 
addresses  made  to  him  by  his  fellow-citizens — Receives  an  invitation 
to  attend  the  celebration  of  the  8th  January  at  New  Orleans — Des 
cription  of  that  celebration ....  278 

CHAPTER  XVII. 

Violence  of  party  spirit — General  Jackson  elected  president  of  the 
United  States — Death  of  Mrs.  Jackson — General  Jackson  declines 
the  acceptance  of  invitations  to  public  entertainments,  on  his  way  to 
Washington — He  repairs  to  the  seat  of  government — His  reception 

—  Inauguration — Inaugural   address  —His  cabinet — Removals  from 
office — Defence  of  the  measure — His  first  message  to  congress.     310 


CONTENTS.  XI 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Approbation  of  the  Message — Maysville  Road  Bill — Returned  to  the 
house  by  General  Jackson,  with  his  objections — Mr.  Barbour's  de 
fence  of  this  official  act — Meeting  of  Congress  in  1830 — General 
Jackson's  Message — Remarks  upon  it — Correspondence  between  him 
and  Mr.  Calhoun — Developments  made  by  that  correspondence — Its 
beneficial  results  to  General  Jackson.  .  .  .  .  ,:*'  :  .  .  .  356 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

Dissolution  of  the  cabinet— Letter  of  resignation  from  the  secretary  of 
state — General  Jackson's  reply — Causes  which  led  to  the  dissolution 
— Its  effects — Re-organization  of  the  cabinet — Meeting  of  the  22d 
congress — President's  message — Remarks  upon  it — Rejection  by  the 
senate  of  Mr.  Van  Buren's  nomination — Motives  that  led  to  it — 
Bill  for  re-chartering  the  United  States  bank,  passes  both  houses  of 
congress — Is  presented  to  the  president — He  returns  it  with  his  veto 
—Veto  message — Its  effects— His  honor  and  character— Anecdotes 
—Conclusion ,  .  .  371* 


CHAPTER  IV 

Introductory  Remarks — Birth  of  Mr.  Jackson — His 
parentage — War  of  the  Revolution — He  engages  in 
the  war — Is  taken  prisoner — Resists  the  command 
of  a  British  officer — Mrs.  Jackson — Her  virtues — 
Her  death — Mr.  Jackson  an  orphan — Studies  law — 
Admitted  to  the  bar — Removes  to  the  South  West 
Territory — Appointed  Attorney  General — Member 
of  the  Tennessee  Convention — A  representative 
in  Congress — A  senator  in  Congress — Judge  of 
tlie  Supreme  Court — Burr's  conspiracy — Charges 
against  him  refuted. 

WHENEVER  an  individual,  by  the  force  of  his  own  pe 
culiar  talents  and  energy,  has  raised  himself  from  ob 
scurity  to  the  highest  attainable  summit  of  earthly  distinc 
tion,  a  curiosity,  very  natural  in  itself,  is  engendered,  to 
learn  something  of  his  early  history ;  to  trace  the  first 
workings  of  a  mind,  whose  conceptions  have  laid  the 
foundation,  and  whose  perseverance  has  raised  before  the 
admiring  gaze  of  the  world,  a  monument  of  undying  fame. 
This  indulgence  often  proves  unsatisfactory,  as  instances 
are  numerous  of  men  whose  maturity  has  developed 
powers  that  have  commanded  the  admiration  of  the  world, 
who,  in  early  life,  gave  no  indication  of  future  greatness. 
The  province  of  the  biographer,  however,  in  commencing 
the  life  of  his  subject,  is  always  the  same,  whether  the 
early  years  of  his  hero  were  rife  with  spirit-stirring  indi- 
1 


BIOGRAPHY  OF 


cations  of.  ex^ltQcfc  int,ellject,  or  exhibited  nothing  above  the 
ordinary,  en4o'wrnJentV  of  men. 

.  Audrey.  Jact^pu  wa,s  ]?orn  at  Waxaw,  district  of  Ma- 
•jrjoji,;,  in  \fcRe*  State  »of  •  South  Carolina,  on  the  15th  of 
March,*  17*67*.  His  Itafh'er'Was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and 
emigrated  to  America  with  his  family,  a  wife  and  two 
sons,  in  1765.  The  object  of  his  emigration  was,  to 
escape  from  the  oppressions  which  were  at  that  period 
heaped  by  the  English  government  upon  the  middle 
and  lower  classes  of  that  ill-fated  country.  He  died 
about  two  years  after  his  emigration,  and  thus  escaped 
British  tyranny  ;  which,  unsatiated  with  its  victims  in 
Europe,  followed  soon  after,  and  planted  its  hideous 
front  upon  the  American  shores.  He  left  three  sons,  of 
whom  Andrew  was  the  youngest,  in  a  strange  land,  in 
the  helplessness  of  infancy  and  childhood,  to  the  care 
of  their  widowed  mother,  who  executed  the  arduous 
task  of  nurturing  her  children,  in  a  manner  that  reflected 
the  highest  credit  upon  her  persevering  fortitude,  and  ex 
emplary  devotedness  to  the  exercise  of  the  best  impulses 
of  the  human  heart.  Her  pecuniary  resources  were 
limited  ;  yet,  by  judicious  management,  she  was  enabled 
to  give  her  two  eldest  sons  the  rudiments  of  a  common 
education.  Andrew  she  designed  for  the  ministry  ;  and, 
with  this  view,  he  was  admitted  as  a  student  in  an  aca 
demical  institution,  where  the  languages  and  the  higher 
branches  of  literature  were  taught.  Here  he  com 
menced  the  study  of  the  classics  ;  and  he  would  probably 
have  proceeded  to  effectuate  the  object  designed,  had  he 
not  been  interrupted  by  a  train  of  events,  which  constitute 
the  brightest  era  in  American  history.  We  allude  to  the 
war  of  the  Revolution.  The  history  of  the  world  furnishes 
no  parallel,  in  which  a  contest  has  been  maintained  be 
tween  high  handed  oppression,  and  a  total  disregard  of 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  3 

the  rights  of  man  on  one  part,  and  a  determined  and  per 
severing  resistance  of  the  oppressed  on  the  other,  and 
which  terminated  so  gloriously,  as  is  exhibited  in  the  re 
volutionary  struggle  of  our  fathers.  No  portion  of  the 
colonies  suffered  more  from  British  invasion,  than  the 
southern  states.  A  considerable  portion  of  them  was  for 
a  time  completely  overrun,  and  subjected  to  the  cruelties 
and  indignities  of  a  merciless  soldiery.  The  eldest  bro 
ther  of  Andrew  joined  the  army,  and  was  killed  at  the 
battle  of  Stono.  Andrew  Jackson,  with  his  only  surviving 
brother,  joined  the  American  forces  soon  after,  in  defence 
of  their  country  and  their  homes,  the  former  being  only 
fourteen  years  of  age. 

The  southern  colonies  were,  at  this  period,  extremely 
defenceless.  Lord  Cornwallis,  the  commander  of  the 
British  forces,  found  but  little  resistance  in  the  com 
mission  of  his  depredations,  from  those  whose  lives  and 
liberties  he  was  trampling  in  the  dust ;  consequently, 
he  left  the  country,  and  proceeded  to  the  north,  in  pur 
suit  of  a  more  extensive  field  for  the  exercise  of  his  ex 
terminating  propensities,  taking  the  precaution,  however, 
of  leaving  behind  him  a  band  of  his  myrmidons,  suf 
ficiently  numerous  to  awe  the  vanquished  into  subjection. 
On  the  departure  of  Cornwallis,  the  inhabitants  of  Wax- 
aw,  who  had  been  dispersed  by  his  troops,  ventured 
again  to  return  and  repair  the  ruins  of  the  place,  and 
take  measures  for  their  defence.  Camden  was  at  this 
period  in  the  possession  of  Lord  Rawdon,  whose  vigi 
lance,  worthy  of  a  better  cause,  was  awakened  by  news 
that  the  inhabitants  of  Waxaw,  whom  he  supposed  to 
have  been  effectually  exterminated,  were  again  preparing 
for  defensive  operations.  It  is  well  known,  that  in  this  con 
test  the  Americans  were  considered  as  rebels,  who  had 
raised  the  standard  of  revolt,  and  set  at  defiance  the  su- 


4  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

premacy  of  their  legitimate  sovereign.  That  interchange 
of  courtesies,  usually  practised  by  belligerent  nations,  was 
entirely  dispensed  with ;  consequently,  the  contest  was 
maintained,  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  with  a  spirit  of 
barbarity  and  cold-blooded  extermination.  Actuated  by 
these  principles,  Lord  Rawdon  availed  himself  of  the  as 
sistance  of  the  American  Tories,  whom  he  dispatched  with 
a  detachment  of  British  dragoons,  under  the  command  of 
Major  Coffin,  to  the  destruction  of  Waxaw.  The  inha- 
oitants  were  determined  to  defend  themselves,  though  the 
prospect  of  ultimate  success  was  nearly  hopeless.  They 
assembled,  and  were  entrenching  themselves  in  their 
church,  when  they  were  suddenly  surprised  by  the  British 
troops.  Eleven  of  their  number  were  taken  prisoners, 
and  the  residue  escaped.  Among  the  latter  were  Andrew 
Jackson,  and  his  brother.  They  were  captured,  however, 
on  the  ensuing  day,  and  an  incident  then  occurred,  which 
developed  the  germings  of  a  spirit,  which  has  since 
prompted  its  possessor  to  tne  accomplishment  uf  deeds  uf 
noble  daring.  Every  species  of  indignity  was  practised 
upon  the  American  prisoners,  and,  with  other  ill-treat 
ment,  young  Jackson  was  ordered  to  clean  the  boots  of  a 
British  officer.  He  indignantly  refused  to  obey  the  de 
basing  command,  and  demanded  the  treatment  due  to  a 
prisoner  of  war.  The  officer,  enraged  at  the  boldness  of 
the  refusal,  made  a  violent  pass  with  his  sword  at  the  head 
of  the  youth,  which  he  parried  with  his  hand,  and  received 
a  severe  wound  in  consequence.  This  may,  to  many,  seem 
a  trifling  incident ;  but  when  we  reflect  that  he  was  only 
fourteen  years  of  age,  and  the  prisoner  of  men  who 
butchered  their  opponents  with  a  recklessness  unknown  in 
the  annals  of  modern  warfare,  his  manly  firmness  and  ex 
alted  sense  of  honor  cannot,  it  is  believed,  fail  to  elicit  the 
meed  of  admiration. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  5 

The  fate  of  his  brother  was  more  tragical.  He  was 
severely  wounded  upon  the  head,  after  being  taken  pri 
soner  ;  and  in  this  condition  he  was,  with  his  brother 
Andrew,  thrown  into  prison,  and  confined  by  the  order 
of  his  captors  in  a  separate  cell.  Here  he  remained 
neglected,  his  wounds  undressed,  shut  out  from  the  as 
sistance  and  sympathy  of  a  single  individual  who  could 
have  extended  to  him  the  hand  of  relief,  till  an  exchange 
of  prisoners  took  place,  when  he  was  returned  to  die 
under  his  mother's  roof.  The  neglect  of  his  wound 
while  in  prison,  produced  an  inflammationjof  the  brain, 
which  terminated  in  death.  We  cannot  here  forbear  pay- 
.  ing  a  small  tribute  to  the  memory  of  the  excellent  mother 
of  Mr.  Jackson.  She  had  remained  in  Europe*  till  Bri 
tish  oppression  threatened  to  overwhelm  her  family.  She 
then,  with  her  husband  and  children,  sought  an  asylum 
on  the  American  shores  ;  but  even  here  the  same  oppress 
ors  followed  her.  A  lone  widow,  in  a  land  of  strangers, 
she  succeeded  in  rearing  her  children  to  the  dawn  of  man 
hood,  only  to  see  them  fall  by  the  hands  of  a  merciless 
enemy.  The  last  efforts  of  her  life  were  spent  in  mitigating 
the  sufferings,  and  extending  relief  to  the  prisoners  who 
were  captured  in  her  neighborhood  : — but  when  she  saw 
Jier  children  fall — those  whom  in  the  ardor  of  maternal 
affection  she  had  so  fondly  nurtured — the  ties  which  bound 
her  to  earth  were  broken,  and  the  grave  closed  upon  her  as 
it  had  done  upon  her  murdered  offspring.  *. 

Mr.  Jackson,  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  found  himself  alone  in 
the  world,  a  sad  spectator  of  the  desolations  that  had  visited 
his  family.  Divorced  from  every  living  being  with  whom 
he  could  sympathize  as  a  kinsman,  he  might  speak  in  the 
emphatic  language  of  the  chieftain,  the  last  of  whose  re 
latives  had  been  slain  in  battle, — "  that  not  a  drop  of  his 
blood  ran  in  the  veins  of  any  living  creature."  The  sud- 
1* 


6  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

den  extinction  of  his  family  bore  heavily  upon  him  ;  his 
sufferings  and  imprisonment  had  impaired  his  consti 
tution  ;  and,  to  complete  the  measure  of  his  misfortunes, 
he  was  violently  seized  with  the  small-pox,  which  near 
ly  terminated  his  life.  The  vigor  of  his  constitution,  how 
ever,  triumphed  over  the  virulence  of  his  disease,  and  re 
stored  him  again  to  health.  He  succeeded  to  the  patrimo 
ny  of  his  father,  which,  though  small,  would,  with 
prudent  management,  have  enabled  him  to  complete  his 
studies,  and  to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  mature  life  with 
many  pecuniary  advantages.  But  those  endowments 
which  serve  to  elevate  men  to  distinction,  are  seldom 
found  connected  with  talents  of  economy  in  money  mat 
ters.  At  least,  it  was  thus  with  Mr.  Jackson.  Ge 
nerous  to  a  fault,  he  soon  reduced  his  estate  to  a  di- 
minutiveness,  which  threw  him  at  once  upon  the  re 
sources  of  his  own  mind,  and  compelled  him  to  become 
the  architect  of  his  own  fortunes.  He  resumed  his  li 
terary  pursuits  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  under  the  tutelage 
of  Mr.  M'Culloch,  and  endeavored,  by  severe  applica 
tion  to  his  studies,  to  restore  what  he  had  lost  by  va 
rious  interruptions.  With  him  he  completed  the  study 
of  the  languages,  preliminary  to  his  entrance  at  the 
university  ;  but  the  diminution  of  his  pecuniary  resources 
induced  him  to  relinquish  his  original  design  of  ac 
quiring  a  classical  education.  At  the  age  of  seventeen 
he  commenced  the  study  of  law  at  Salisbury,  North 
Carolina,  in  the  office  of  Spruce  M'Kay,  Esq.  ;  and 
completed  it  under  the  supervision  of  John  Stokes,  Esq., 
both  lawyers  of  distinction,  and  was  admitted  a  practi 
tioner  at  the  bar  of  that  state  in  1786.  He  practised  in 
the  courts  of  the  state  two  years;  but  not  rinding  pro 
fessional  prospects  sufficiently  flattering  to  induce  him  to 
temain,  he  resolved  to  push  his  fortunes  in  the  west. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  7 

The  present   state  of  Tennessee  was,  at  this  period, 
a  territorial  government  of  the  United  States,  called  the 
South  West  Territory,  having  been  recently  organized 
by  Congress.      The    climate  was  salubrious,    the    soil 
was  fertile,  and  it  was  rapidly  advancing,  from  a  wild 
region,   to   a    state   of  civilization.     Here  we  find  Mr. 
Jackson  in  1788.     The  honorable  Judge  M'Nairy  was 
appointed  judge  of  this  territory  in  the  fall  of  this  year, 
and  was  accompanied  by  Mr.  Jackson  to  Nashville,  at 
which  place  they  arrived  in  October,  when  the  first  court 
was  holden.      He  here  found  himself  among   a  people 
widely  different  in  manners,  customs,  and  habits,  from 
those  he  had  recently  left.     In  the  older  states,  when  one 
generation  of  inhabitants  has  followed  another  in  regular 
succession,   there  are  always  some  distinguishing  cha 
racteristics  in  the  whole  population.   But  in  the  new  states, 
an  established  character  in  the  people  would  hardly  be  dis 
coverable,  if  we  except  energy  and  personal  independence. 
In  those  parts  of  the  republic  which  have  been  settled  for 
two  centuries,  a  family,  a  monied,  or  a  landed  aristocracy, 
can  always  be  discovered.     The   many  become  subser 
vient  to  the  few,  and  subjugate  their  minds  to  those  who, 
by  wealth  or  power,  have  obtained  an  ascendancy  over 
them.     In  such  a  state  of  society,  an  insulated  being  like 
Andrew  Jackson,  without  the  influence  of  friends  to  aid 
him,  or  funds  to  procure  them,  could  hardly  hope,  with 
the  most  exalted  intellect,  to  arrive  at  a  station  either  of 
emolument  or  profit.     Circumstances  are  widely  different 
in  the  new  states.     Drawn  together  from  different  sec 
tions  of  an  extensive  country,  by  motives  of  interest,  of 
power,  or  of  fame,  each  individual  may  almost  be  said 
to  make  a  province  by  himself.      In  such   a  situation, 
the  most  energetic   character  becomes  the  object  of  the 
greatest  popular  favor.     Mr.  Jackson  was  well  calculated 


8  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

to  move  in  this  sphere  of  action.  Without  any  extrinsic 
advantages  to  promote  his  advancement,  he  had  solely  to 
rely  upon  intrinsic  worth,  and  decision  of  character,  to 
enable  him  to  rise  rapidly.  He  commenced  the  practice 
of  law  in  Nashville,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and  soon 
distinguished  himself  among  his  competitors.  His  stern 
integrity,  and  unremitting  attention  to  business,  recom 
mended  him  to  the  notice  of  government,  and  procured 
f  •'  lor  him  the  appointment  of  Attorney  General  of  the  terri- 
*  tory.  This  office  he  sustained  for  a  considerable  length 
of  time,  with  much  reputation  to  himself. 

The  South  West  Territory,  in  1796,  was  admitted  a 
sovereign  and  independent  state  into  the  Union,  and  took 
the  name  of  Tennessee.  The  people  were  then  called  upon 
to  exercise  a  highly  responsible  act  of  self-government — 
that  of  forming  a  constitution,  as  the  supreme  law  of  the 
state.  Mr.  Jackson  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  con 
vention,  called  to  discharge  this  important  duty.  Although 
he  had  become  known  to  the  most  distinguished  citizens  of 
the  country,  his  exertions  in  this  convention  brought  him 
into  more  universal  notice,  by  the  distinguished  part  he 
took  upon  this  important  subject.  The  course  of  his  stu 
dies  had  previously  led  him  to  the  investigation  of  the 
science  of  government,  from  the  earliest  ages  down  to 
the  period  in  which  he  lived.  With  the  rise,  progress, 
and  termination  of  the  ancient  republics,  he  had  made 
himself  familiarly  acquainted  ;  he  had  witnessed  the  ope 
ration  of  the  American  constitution,  and  those  of  the 
different  states,  from  their  first  establishment  to  the  period 
in  which  he  acted.  With  a  mind  thus  prepared  to  meet 
the  important  discussion,  he  took  lead  in  the  debates  upon 
the  different  articles  of  the  proposed  constitution.  To 
those  who  are  acquainted  with  the  constitution  of  the  state 
of  Tennessee,  the  precision  with  which  the  legislative,  th« 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  9 

judiciary,  and  executive  powers  are  designated ;  the  care 
manifested  in  securing  to  the  people  their  civil  rights  ; 
the  freedom  allowed  in  the  exercise  of  the  rights  of  con 
science,  must  be  obvious,  and  much  credit  is  due  to  Mr. 
Jackson,  for  his  efforts  in  producing  so  desirable  a  result. 
As  a  proof  of  their  approbation  of  his  services,  the  people 
of  Tennessee  elected  him  their  first  representative  in 
Congress.  His  popularity  continued  to  increase,  and  in 
1 797  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States. 
His  congressional  life  was  distinguished  for  a  firm  ad 
herence  to  republican  principles  ;  and  in  the  senate,  he 
voted  for  the  repeal  of  the  alien  and  sedition  laws.  His 
affairs  in  Tennessee  requiring  his  attention,  induced  him 
to  resign  his  seat  in  the  senate  before  the  session  closed. 
He  accordingly  returned ;  and  soon  after,  contrary  to  his 
inclinations,  he  was  appointed  judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court.  After  discharging  its  duties  for  a  while,  he  re- A, 
signed  the  station,  and  retired  to  private  life.  7 

It  was  during  the  recess  between  this  period;  and  the 
commencement  of  Mr.  Jackson's  brilliant  military  career, 
that  the  Union  was  agitated  by  the  development  of  the 
famous  Burr  conspiracy.  Mr.  Jackson  has  by  no  means 
escaped  the  missiles  of  malice  and  detraction,  which  are 
usually  aimed  at  men  of  distinguished  attainments.  It  was 
not  until  a  recent  period,  that  Mr.  Jackson  was  accused  of 
being  a  participator  in  this  conspiracy.  This  charge  was 
most  triumphantly  refuted  as  soon  as  preferred  ;  and 
though  it  is  not  our  intention  to  notice  the  many  un 
founded  charges  that  have  been  exhibited  against  him, 
yet  we  should  deem  it  the  greatest  injustice  to  our  readers, 
as  well  as  to  our  illustrious  subject,  should  we  fail  here  to 
record  the  ample  proofs  which  so  effectually  wipe  out  the 
stain,  which  is  intended  to  blot  the  fair  escutcheon  of  a 
much  injured  patriot.  Mr.  Jackson  was  charged  with  the 


10  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

crime  of  treason — of  being  connected  with  Aaron  Burr  in 
a  conspiracy  to  sever  the  union  of  these  states. 

Before  we  proceed  with  the  evidence  in  refutation  of 
this  unprincipled  calumny,  we  will  premise  that  General 
Jackson,  while  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  became 
well  acquainted  with  Col.  Burr  ;  that  then  and  long  after, 
Col.  Burr  stood  high  in  the  favor  and  estimation  of  the 
republican  party  in  the  United  States  ;  that  he  had  ac 
quired  the  good  feelings  of  the  West,  by  his  great  attention 
to  its  interests,  and  particularly  of  Tennessee,  by  his  ac 
tivity  in  procuring  her  admission  into  the  Union  ;  and  thai 
up  to  the  month  of  November,  1806,  nothing  like  suspicion 
of  treason,  or  of  any  project  unfriendly  to  the  peace  or 
integrity  of  the  United  States,  had  any  existence  in  this 
country  ;  though  Mr.  Jefferson,  in  his  message  of  January 
22nd,  1807,  declared,  "  that  he  had  received  intimation 
that  designs  were  in  agitation  in  the  Western  country, 
unlawful  and  unfriendly  to  the  peace  of  the  Union,  and 
t^at  the  prime  mover  in  these,  was  Aaron  Burr,  hereto 
fore  distinguished  by  the  favor  of  his  country."  The 
grounds  of  these  intimations  being  inconclusive,  the  ob 
jects  uncertain,  and  the  fidelity  of  the  country  known  to 
be  firm,  the  only  measure  taken  was  to  urge  the  informants 
to  use  their  best  endeavours,  to  get  further  insight  into  the 
designs  and  proceedings  of  the  suspected  persons,  and  to 
communicate  them  to'the  President. 

A  full  development,  however,  of  Burr's  designs,  soon 
became  manifest.  "  It  appeared  that  he  contemplated  two 
distinct  objects,  which  might  be  carried  on  jointly  or  sepa 
rately,  and  either  one  or  the  other,  as  circumstances  should 
direct.  One  of  these  was  the  severance  of  the  Union  of 
these  States  by  the  Allegany  Mountains  ;  the  other  an  at 
tack  on  Mexico.  A  third  object  was  provided,  merely 
ostensible,  to  wit,  the  settlement  of  a  pretended  purchase 
of  a  tract  of  country  on  the  Washita,  claimed  by  Baron 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  11 

Bastroph.  This  was  to  serve  as  the  pretext  for  all  his  pre 
parations,  an  allurement  for  such  followers  as  really  wish 
ed  to  acquire  settlements  in  that  country,  and  a  cover  un 
der  which  to  retreat  in  the  event  of  a  final  discomfiture  of 
both  branches  of  his  design." 

"  He  found  at  once,  that^he  attachment  of  the  Western 
Country  to  the  union  was  not  to  be  shaken  ;  that  its  disso 
lution  could  not  be  effected  with  the  consent  of  its  inhabi 
tants,  and  that  his  resources  were  inadequate,  as  yet,  to 
effect  it  by  force.  He  took  his  course  then  at  once,  deter 
mined  to  seize  on  New  Orleans,  plunder  the  bank  there, 
possess  himself  of  the  military  and  naval  stores,  and  pro 
ceed  on  his  expedition  to  Mexico,  and  to  this  object  all  his 
means  and  preparations  were  now  directed.  He  collected 
from  all  the  quarters  where  himself  or  agents  possessed 
influence,  ail  the  ardent,  restless,  desperate,  and  disaffected 
persons,  who  were  ready  for  any  enterprise  analogous  to 
their  characters.  He  seduced  good  and  well-meaning  citi 
zens,  some  by  assurances  that  he  possessed  the  confidence 
of  the  government,  and  was  acting  under  its  secret  patron 
age  ;  a  pretence  which  procured  some  credit,  from  the  state 
of  our  differences  at  that  time  with  Spain,  and  others  by  of 
fers  of  land  in  Bastroph's  claim  on  the  Washita." 

This  was  the  state  of  the  information,  received  by 
President  Jefferson,  towards  the  close  of  November,  1800; 
and  on  the  27th  of  that  month,  in  consequence  of  the  re 
ceipt  of  intelligence  of  the  conspiracy  by  Gen.  Wilkin 
son's  letter,  he  issued  his  proclamation.  The  President 
not  being  apprized  at  that  time,  that  any  boats  were  build 
ing  on  the  Cumberland  river,  the  effect  of  this  proclama 
tion  was  for  some  time  trusted  to  in  the  state  of  Tennessee ; 
but  on  the  19th  of  December,  similar  communications, 
and  instructions,  with  those  to  the  neighboring  states 
were  dispatched  by  express,  to  the  governor  and  general 
officer  of  the  Western  Division  of  the  state  ;  and  on  the 


BIOGRAPHY  OF 

23d  of  December,  the  confidential  agent  of  the  govern 
ment  left  Frankfort  for  Nashville,  to  put  into  activity  the 
means  of  that  state  also. 

Although  some  might  suspect  Colonel  Burr  to  be  en 
gaged  in  schemes  of  pecuniary  or  personal  aggrandize 
ment,  and  might  disapprove  of  them,  and  he  might  then 
have  become  a  subject  of  suspicion,  to  some  extent,  yet 
no  one  suspected  them  to  be  in  any  degree  hostile  to  the 
government  of  the  United  States  ;  and  most  persons  in 
the  West  believed  that  his  designs  were  countenanced,  and 
in  their  execution  would  be  supported  by  the  government. 
This  idea  was  supported  by  the  existing  state  of  our  rela 
tions  with  Spain,  and  the  belief  that  a  war  with  that  power 
was  impending — a  war  which,  at  that  time,  would  have 
been  popular  in  the  Western  States. 

The  charge  against  General  Jackson,  was  made  by 
Judge  Williams  of  Tennessee  ;  who  stated  that  sometime 
before  Mr.  Jefferson's  proclamation,  he  was  told  by  Ge 
neral  Jackson,  that  if  Williams  would  accept  it,  he  -might 
obtain  the  commission  of  captain  in  Burr's  army  ;  and 
that  at  another  time,  he  declared  to  him  that  he  would  find 
that  a  division  of  the  United  States  had  taken  deep  root ; 
and  that  he  would  find  a  number  of  the  members  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  deeply  involved  in  the  scheme. 
The  lamentable  inaccuracy  of  the  statements  of  Mr. 
Williams,  will,  it  is  believed,  appear  abundantly  manifest 
from  the  following  well  authenticated  facts,  in  relation  to 
the  circumstances  of  General  Jackson's  situation,  at  the 
period  of  that  conspiracy. 

We  will  introduce  to  our  readers,  General  Jackson's 
letter  to  George  W.  Campbell,  then  a  representative  in 
Congress  from  Tennessee,  dated  January  15th,  1807,  not 
because  it  is  first  in  date  of  several  proofs  that  will  be 
presented,  but  because  it  contains  a  connected  and  con 
tinuous  relation  of  General  Jackson's  knowledge,  and 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  13 

conduct,  with  regard  to  Colonel  Burr  ;  a  plain  and  manly 
narration,  containing  in  itself  a  vindication,  which  must 
prove  satisfactory  and  conclusive  to  every  honest  and 
well  constituted  mind ;  from  which,  sophistry  and  incre 
dulity  will  alike  shrink  back,  foiled  and  overcome ;  and 
which,  when  supported  in  all  material  points,  by  other 
direct  evidence  which  will  be  given,  must  carry  convic 
tion  to  every  honest  and  unprejudiced  heart. 

The    following   is  a   copy  of  a  letter  from    Andrew 
Jackson,  to  G.  W.  Campbell,  January  15th,  1807. 

"  Sir, — The  late  denunciation  of  Aaron  Burr  as  a  trai 
tor,  has  excited  great  surprise,  and  general  indignation. 
Still,  from  the  opinion  possessed  of  the  accuser,  many 
there  are  who  wait  for  the  proof,  before  they  will  pro 
nounce  him  guilty  of  the  charge.  One  thing  is  general 
ly  believed,  that  if  Burr  is  guilty,  Wilkinson  has  parti 
cipated  in  the  treason.  The  public  mind  has  been  agi 
tated  from  various  reports  of  Burr  having  been  met,  at 
the  mouth  of  Cumberland  river,  with  100  boats,  and  1000 
armed  men  ;  and  it  was  stated  as  a  fact,  that  the  Captain 
at  Massac,  and  all  the  men,  were  going  with  him.  Subse 
quent  reports  stated  they  had  gone.  An  express  which  I 
started  on  the  receipt  of  the  Secretary  of  War's  letter,  of 
the  —  ult.  has  returned,  and  states  that  Burr  left  Massac, 
on  the  3d  ult.,  in  company  with  ten  boats,  six  men  on  board 
each,  without  arms,  or  any  thing  that  can  afford  suspi 
cion  ;  and  that  Captain  Bissell  has  been  doing  his  duty,  as 
a  vigilant  officer.  I  had  ordered  out  twelve  companies 
of  volunteers,  on  the  receipt  of  the  Secretary  of  War's 
letter,  to  check  the  adventurers,  which,  on  the  return  of 
express,  I  dismissed.  I  have  no  doubt,  but  from  the 
pains  that  have  been  taken  to  circulate  reports,  it  will  be 
rumored  that  I  am  on  full  march,  to  unite  with  Burr. 
This  I  know  you  never  will  believe,  until  you  hear  it 
from  myself ;  or  from  such  a  source  that  you  know  can- 
2 


14  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

not  err.  Should  you  ever  hear,  that  I  am  embarked  in  a 
course,  inimical  to  my  country,  believe  it  not.  Should 
you  hear  that  any  treasonable  intentions  have  come  to  my 
knowledge,  and  that  I  have  been  silent,  believe  them  not ; 
or  that  I  would  not  put  any  man  out  of  existence,  who 
would  name  such  a  thing  to  me,  without  on  the  grounds 
of  discovering  it  to  the  proper  authorities.  If  Burr  has 
any  treasonable  intentions  in  view,  he  is  the  basest  of  all 
human  beings  : — I  will  tell  you  why,  he  always  held  out 
the  idea  of  settling  Washita,  unless  a  war  with  Spain ;  in 
that  event,  he  held  out  the  idea,  that  from  his  intimacy 
with  the  Secretary  of  War,  he  would  obtain  an  appoint 
ment,  and  if  he  did,  would  revolutionize  Mexico. 

"  About  the  10th  of  November,  Captain •  called  at 

my  house,  and  after  the  stay  of  a  night  and  part  of  a  day, 
introduced  the  subject  of  the  adventurers,  and  in  part 
stated,  that  their  intention  was  to  divide  the  Union.  I 
sternly  asked  how  they  would  effect  it ;  he  replied,  by 
seizing  New  Orleans  and  the  bank,  shutting  the  port, 
conquering  Mexico,  and  uniting  the  western  parts  of  the 
Union  to  the  conquered  country.  I,  perhaps  with  warmth, 
asked  him  how  this  was  to  be  effected  ;  he  replied,  by  the 
aid  of  the  federal  troops  with  the  general  at  their  head.  I 
asked  if  he  had  this  from  the  general ;  he  said  he  had  not. 
I  asked  him  if  Colonel  Burr  was  in  the  scheme ;  he  an 
swered,  he  did  not  know,  nor  was  he  informed  that  he 
was ;  that  he  barely  knew  Colonel  Burr,  and  never  had 
any  conversation  with  him.  I  asked  him  how  he  knew 
this,  and  from  whom  he  got  his  information ;  he  said 

from in  New  York.     Knowing  that  Colonel  Burr 

was  well  acquainted  with  -  — ,  it  rushed  into  my 
mind  like  lightning,  that  Burr  was  at  the  head,  and  from 
the  colorings  he  had  held  out  to  me,  Generals  Robertson 
and  Overton,  and  the  hospitality  I  had  shown  him,  I 
viewed  it  as  base  conduct  to  us  all ;  and  heightened  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  15 

baseness  of  his  intended  crimes,  if  he  really  was  about  to 
become  a  traitor.  I  sat  down  and  wrote  to  General  Smith 
and  Doctor  Dickinson  ;  I  wrote  to  Governor  Claiborne  to 
put  his  citadel  in  a  state  of  defence,  without  naming  any 
person  except  General  Wilkinson.  When  this  was  done, 
I  wrote  Colonel  Burr  in  strong  terms  my  suspicions  of 
him,  and  until  they  were  cleared  from  my  mind,  no  fur 
ther  intimacy  was  to  exist  between  us.  I  made  my  sus 
picions  known  to  Generals  Robertson  and  Tatum,  with 
some  others.  Not  long  after,  I  received  his  answer,  with 
the  most  sacred  pledges,  that  he  had  not,  nor  never  had, 
any  views  inimical  or  hostile  to  the  United  States ;  and 
whenever  he  was  charged  with  the  intention  of  separa 
ting  the  Union,  the  idea  of  insanity  must  be  ascribed  to 
him.  After  his  acquittal  in  Kentucky,  he  returned  to 
this  country,  and  to  all  who  named  the  subject,  made  the 
same  pledge,  and  said  he  had  no  object  in  view,  but  such 
as  was  sanctioned  by  legal  authority ;  and  still  said,  that 
when  necessary,  he  would  produce  the  Secretary  of  War's 
orders  ; — that  he  wanted  only  young  men  of  talents  to  go 
with  him ;  with  such  he  wished  to  make  his  settlement, 
as  it  would  have  a  tendency  to  draw  to  it  wealth  and  cha 
racter.  For  these  reasons,  from  the  pledges  made,  if  he 
is  a  traitor,  he  is  the  basest  that  ever  did  commit  treason  ; 
and  being  torn  to  pieces  and  scattered  to  the  four  winds  of 
heaven,  would  be  too  good  for  him.  But  we  will  leave 
him  for  time  and  evidence  to  verify  his  hue.  I  have 
given  you  the  outlines,  and  in  a  few  weeks  will  give  the 
proof.  A.  JACKSON." 

This  letter  was  shown,  immediately  on  its  receipt,  to 
Mr.  Jefferson,  and  by  him  copied.  From  this,  the  rea 
son  is  obvious  why  Burr's  name  was  not  mentioned  in 
General  Jackson's  letter  of  the  12th  of  November,  1806, 
to  Claiborne ;  the  information  obtained  by  Jackson,  ex 
tended  only  to  the  commander  of  the  United  States  troops ; 


16  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

the  connexion  of  Burr  with  him,  was  a  mere  conjecture 
of  his  own ;  therefore  it  is,  also,  that  in  the  letters  of  Ge 
neral  Smith  and  Doctor  Dickson,  senator  and  represen 
tative  in  Congress,  he  speaks  of  his  apprehensions  of  an 
attempt  to  sever  the  Union,  and  with  reference  to  Burr,  in 
separate  paragraphs. 

Every  act  and  sentiment  of  General  Jackson's  life,  is 
marked  with  the  deepest  horror  of  any  opinions,  or  acts, 
or  persons,  favoring  a  severance  of  the  states ;  and  upon 
this  subject  he  always  has  displayed  a  more  than  ordinary 
sensibility  :  no  wonder,  then,  that  he  may,  before  Judge 
Williams  and  others,  have  expressed,  in  strong  language, 
his  apprehensions  in  relation  to  it,  when  he  was  commu 
nicating  every  week  the  same  fears  and  anxieties  to  the 
general  government  through  our  members  of  Congress. 
But  no  man,  not  even  Judge  Williams,  has  ever  dared  to 
testify,  that  Jackson  ever  expressed  approbation  of  such 
designs,  or  that  he  ever  expressed  any  other  sentiment 
than  that  which  he  announced  emphatically  in  his  letter 
of  November  12th,  1806,  to  Governor  Claiborne— "  I 
will  die  in  the  last  ditch  before  I  would  yield  a  foot  to  the 
Dons,  or  see  the  Union  disunited."  A  heroic  and  sub 
lime  annunciation,  which  subsequent  events  have  stamped 
with  the  seal  of  unquestionable  verity,  and  proved  to  be 
no  vain  flourish ;  and  that  whether  the  enemy  of  his 
country  was  the  Don,  the  savage,  or  the  Briton,  his  life 
was  always  ready  to  be  offered  up  as  a  willing  sacrifice 
for  her  safety  and  glory.  General  Jackson's  letters  to 
the  Honorable  Daniel  Smith,  and  Doctor  William 
Dickson,  of  November  17th,  1806,  are  expressive  of 
the  same  views  and  sentiments  upon  the  subject  of  the 
conspiracy. 

When  the  charges  against  General  Jackson,  of  being 
engaged  in  the  Burr  conspiracy,  were  first  publicly 
made,  a  committee  was  appointed  in  Nashville,  for  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  IT 

purpose  of  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  subject ;  which 
resulted  in  the  triumphant  vindication  of  the  former,  from 
all  suspicions  of  a  participation  in  that  foul  plot.  State 
ments  from  a  large  number  of  individuals  of  the  highest 
respectability  in  Tennessee,  who  were  intimately  ac 
quainted  with  the  circumstances  attending  that  conspiracy, 
are  explicit  and  conclusive  in  exoneration  of  General 
Jackson  from  all  concernment  in  it.  We  have  room  only 
for  a  few  of  the  statements,  and  the  concluding  remarks 
accompanying  the  report  of  the  investigating  committee. 

The  testimony  of  General  Coffee  and  Colonel  Ward 
was  brought  before  that  committee,  and  is  completely  ex 
planatory  of  all  the  circumstances  connected  with  build 
ing  boats  for  Colonel  Burr ;  the  ostensible  designs  and 
objects  held  out  by  him,  the  reasons  of  his  favorable 
reception  in  Tennessee  by  General  Jackson,  General 
Robertson,  and  many  other  distinguished  persons  of  the 
country  ;  the  origin  and  extent  of  the  suspicions  as  to  his 
objects  ;  his  last  visit  to  the  Clover  Bottom  near  General 
Jackson's  in  December,  1806,  his  reception,  &c. 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  General  Coffee's  letter  to 
the  Nashville  Committee. 

"  Nashville,  August  28, 1828. 

"  By  request  of  the  Nashville  Committee,  I  do  hereby 
state,  that  Colonel  Burr,  while  in  Tennessee  in  1805  and 
6,  represented  his  views  to  be  the  settlement  of  lands  to 
the  south,  on  the  Washita  river.  He  spoke  of  the  pro 
bability  of  a  rupture  between  the  United  States  and  Spain, 
in  which  event,  the  impression  was,  that  he  (Colonel 
Burr)  would  have  command  of  an  expedition  against 
Mexico,  under,  and  by  the  authority  of  the  United  States. 
Sometime  after  he  had  been  in  Tennessee  in  1805,  and 
left  this  impression,  letters  were  received  from  him,  as 
my  impressions  now  are,  by  Generals  Jackson  and  Ro 
bertson,  requesting  them  to  make  out  and  forward  to  hiia 
2* 


18  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

a  list  of  such  enterprising  young  men,  as  ft  was  believed: 
would  serve  the  country  well  in  the  impending  anticipa 
ted  contest  with  Spain.  Generals  Robertson  and  Jack 
son,  with  sundry  others  of  the  old  respectable  citizens, 
did,  for  that  purpose,  meet  in  Nashville,  and  made  out 
such  list,  and,  as  I  supposed,  sent  it  on  to  him.  Colonel 
Burr's  then  standing  in  the  western  country  (having  lately 
filled  the  second  office  in  the  government)  forbade  the 
idea,  that  his  contemplated  measures  were  apart  from 
the  knowledge  and  approbation  of  the  government.  On 
his  arrival  here,  and  for  sometime  after,  marked  atten 
tions  were  by  all  extended  to  him,  and  no  suspicions 
were  entertained  that  his  plans  and  views  were  at  all 
different  from  what  they  were  represented  by  himself. 
With  a  view  to  the  building  of  some  boats,  and  procuring 
some  provisions,  there  had  been  remitted  to  General 
Jackson  the  sum  of  three  thousand  and  five  dollars,  which 
was  placed  in  my  hands,  with  a  desire  expressed,  that  I 
would  attend  to  the  request  of  Colonel  Burr. 

"  This  agency  I  accepted  and  performed,  and  made  ar 
rangements  for  purchasing  some  provisions,  and  the 
building  by  different  persons  of  five  flat  boats,  and  the 
purchase  of  one  keel  boat.  Subsequently,  a  further  sum 
of  five  hundred  dollars  was  put  into  my  hands. 

"  Part  of  the  funds,  to  wit,  seven  hundred  dollars,  as 
appears  by  reference  to  the  memorandum  of  the  expendi 
ture,  was  paid  over  to  Colonel  William  P.  Anderson ; 
wherefore,  and  for  what  account,  this  advance  to  Colonel 
Anderson  was  made,  I  have  not  now  a  sufficient  recollec 
tion  to  speak  with  certainty*  Suspicions  having  subse 
quently  arisen,  relative  to  the  real  objects  and  views  of 
Colonel  Burr,  my  agency  in  his  affairs  ceased,  except  to 
discharge  the  contracts  that  had  previously  been  entered 
into.  The  balance  of  the  remaining  funds  in  my  hands 
was  paid  over  to  Colonel  Burr  on  his  arrival  in  Tennes- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  19 

see,  on  the  last  visit  he  made  here,  in  the  month  of  De 
cember,  1806.  I  was  at  that  time  engaged  in  mercantile 
business,  and  these  services  were  performed  by  me  for 
Colonel  Burr,  as  they  would  have  been  rendered  to  any 
respectable  man ;  for  I,  nor  any  one  else,  that  came  to 
my  knowledge,  believed  that  he  had  objects  to  serve, 
other  than  were  represented  by  himself. 

"  The  particulars  here  detailed,  are  founded  on  papers 
now  in  my  possession,  written  at  the  time,  and  in  my 
own  handwriting.  In  the  month  of  December,  1806, 
Colonel  Burr  returned  to  Tennessee,  where  he  was  met 
coolly  by  those  who  before  had  acted  very  differently  to 
wards  him.  He  perceived  it,  and  remarked  it  to  me; 
my  reply  in  substance  to  him  was,  that  suspicions  rested 
against  him,  and  until  they  were  removed  nothing  differ 
ent  was  to  be  expected. 

"  At  the  Clover  Bottom,  nine  miles  from  Nashville, 
where  I  then  did  business,  and  which  was  the  nearest 
point  on  the  river  to  where  his  boats  were,  there  was  a 
tavern  ;  and  to  this  place  Colonel  Burr  came  and  re 
mained  about  a  week,  until  he  had  gotten  every  thing  in 
readiness  for  his  departure  down  the  river.  On  his  first 
arrival  in  Tennessee,  on  his  last  visit  in  December,  Ge 
neral  Jackson  wras  absent  from  home;  having  returned 
\vithin  a  few  days  afterwards,  the  general  came  in  com 
pany  with  General  Overton,  to  the  Clover  Bottom,  wrhere 
Colonel  Burr  resided.  An  interview  took  place  between 
them  and  Colonel  Burr,  at  which  they  informed  him  of 
the  suspicions  and  distrust  that  were  entertained  against 
him.  Burr  repelled  them,  and  expressed  deep  regret 
that  there  should  be  any  such ;  and  remarked,  that  he 
could  and  would  be  able  to  satisfy  every  dispassionate 
mind,  that  his  views  and  objects  were  friendly  to  the 
government,  and  such  as  he  had  represented  them  to  be. 
In  a  few  days  after,  he  left  the  country. 


20  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

"  A  son  of  Colonel  Hays,  about  seventeen  years  of  age, 
as  has  been  represented,  nephew  to  Mrs.  Jackson,  went 
along.  His  father  had  become  reduced  in  his  circum 
stances  ;  had  been  personally  known  to  Colonel  Burr, 
during  the  revolution  ;  and  his  son  a  young  man  of  pro 
mise.  It  had  been  proposed  to  the  old  gentleman,  that  he 
should  take  him,  and  aid  him  in  his  education,  which 
was  consented  to  by  his  father.  General  Jackson  gave 
him  letters  to  Governor  Claiborne,  and  instructed  young 
Mr.  Hays,  as  I  understood  at  the  time,  that  should  he 
discover  Colonel  Burr's  views  to  be  at  all  inimical  to  the 
United  States,  or  adverse  to  the  designs  of  government, 
to  leave  him,  and  place  himself  under  the  protection  and 
care  of  Governor  Claiborne. 

1  'Bet  ween  General  Jackson  and  myself,  there  has  always 
existed  confidence  and  friendship  ;  and  there  was  nothing 
ever  perceived  in  him  by  me,  that  could  induce  the  be 
lief,  that  there  was  any  man  in  the  country  who  would  go 
further,  and  make  greater  sacrifices,  to  defend  and  main 
tain  the  integrity  of  the  Union.  On  all  occasions,  his 
conduct  and  declarations  have  stamped  upon  my  mind 
this  conviction.  JOHN  COFFEE." 

The  following  is  the  testimony  of  Colonel  Edward 
Ward: 

"  Nashville,  September  2,  1828. 

"  At  the  request  of  the  chairman  of  the  Nashville  Com 
mittee,  I  make  the  following  statement.  That  General 
Thomas  Overton,  deceased,  informed  me  within  a  few 
days  after  the  occurrence,  that  so  soon  as  the  rumor 
reached  this  country,  that  Colonel  Aaron  Burr  had  trea 
sonable  designs  against  our  government,  he  (General 
Overton)'  and  General  A.  Jackson  waited  on  Colonel 
Burr,  who  was  then,  I  think,  at  Clover  Bottom,  and  in 
formed  him  of  the  rumor,  and  required  of  him  to  state  to 
them  what  were  his  views  or  designs.  This  answer  was 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  1 

made,  as  he  said,  on  the  honor  of  a  gentleman  :  '  That  he 
had  no  views  inimical  to  the  government,  none  but  what 
were  known  to  the  government  and  viewed  with  complai 
sance.'  And  as  well  as  my  memory  serves  me,  showed 
them  a  commission  in  blank,  with  Mr.  Jefferson's  signa 
ture  to  it.  EDWARD  WARD." 

This  testimony  requires  no  commentary  :  it  is  full  and 
decisive. 

"  To  show  what  views  were  expressed  by  Colonel  Burr 
to  General  Jackson,  and  others,  so  early  as  the  spring  of 
1806,  and  to  explain  beyond  the  reach  of  dispute,  the 
time,  nature,  and  import  of  any  possible  conversation 
which  General  Jackson  may  have  held  with  Judge  Wil 
liams,  in  relation  to  a  commission,  connected  with  any  de 
signs,  or  views  of  Colonel  Burr,  we  will  give  extracts 
from  a  letter,  written  by  the  latter  to  General  Jackson, 
dated  34th  March,  1806,  Washington  city. 

"  After  speaking  of  some  general  political  subjects, 
and  of  the  strong  probability  of  a  rupture  with  Spain, — 
'  If  these  apprehensions  (says  he)  should  be  justified  by 
events,  a  military  force  on  our  post  would  be  requisite, 
and  that  force  might  come  from  your  side  of  the  moun 
tains.  It  is  presumed  that  West-Tennessee  could  not 
spare  more  than  two  regiments.  I  take  the  liberty  of 
recommending  to  you,  to  make  out  a  list  of  officers,  from 
colonel  down  to  ensign,  for  one  or  two  regiments.  If  you 
will  transmit  to  me  this  list,  I  will,  in  case  troops  should 
be  called  for,  recommend  it  to  the  Department  of  War, 
and  I  have  reason  to  believe,  that  on  such  an  occasion, 
my  advice  would  be  listened  to.'  General  Coffee  says, 
that  in  consequence  of  letters  from  Colonel  Burr,  to  Ge 
neral  Robertson  and  others,  of  similar  import,  a  meet 
ing  was  held  in  Nashville  by  General  Robertson^  General 
Jackson,  and  others  of  the  most  respectable  men,  and  a 
list  made  out  of  such  enterprising  young  men,  as  it  was 


22  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

believed,  would  serve  the  country  well,  in  the  impending 
contest  with  Spain. 

"  This  brings  us  naturally  to  the  consideration  of  Judge 
William's  statements — and  here  we  cannot  forbear  to  re 
mark,  on  the  danger  and  folly  of  attempting  to  bereave  a 
man  of  his  fame,  and  charge  upon  him  one  of  the  foulest 
crimes  known  to  the  law,  upon  loose,  vague  recollections 
of  a  casual  conversation,  said  to  have  taken  place  up 
wards  of  twenty  years  ago,  without  any  statement  of  the 
conversation  in  context  with  it ;  without  any  date,  except 
with  reference  to  a  range  of  nine  months  of  time ;  with 
out  any  relation  of  the  circumstances,  which  led  to  an 
insulated  remark,  so  strange  and  incredible,  if  taken  in 
the  sense  attempted  to  be  attached  to  it  by  Judge  Williams  ; 
statements  made  by  a  man,  who,  by  his  own  admissions, 
his  own  showing,  and  yet  more  by  what  we  shall  show, 
is  subject  to  the  most  inaccurate  recollection  ;  when  the 
change,  or  omission,  or  addition  of  a  single  word,  or  the 
nature  of  the  preceding  or  succeeding  remarks,  would 
entirely  change  the  whole  meaning  and  sense  of  what  is 
stated  to  have  been  said." 

The  investigating  committee,  in  order  that  ample  jus 
tice  might  be  done  to  Judge  Williams'  mind,  consistency, 
and  conduct,  republished  all  that  was  written  or  published 
in  relation  to  this  conversation  and  to  General  Jackson  ; 
and  also  what  had  been  published  to  be  the  substance  of 
the  letter  written  by  him  to  his  friend  in  Virginia. 

Upon  this  they  remarked,  "that  taking  the  whole  of 
these  documents,  we  have  some  data  from  which  to  esti 
mate  correctly,  how  far  the  clearness  of  Judge  Williams' 
mind,  and  the  impartiality  of  his  feelings,  qualify  him 
for  deposing  accurately  and  fairly.  We  will  look  at 
them,  first,  with  a  view  to  the  question,  how  much  reli 
ance  is  to  be  reposed  in  the  accuracy  and  fairness  of  his 
statements  and  memory  ;  and  then,  in  prosecution  of  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  *O 

same  inquiry,  produce  some  additional  evidence.  Se 
condly  ;  we  shall  show  the  extreme  improbability,  from 
Williams'  own  statement,  that  General  Jackson  ever 
could  have  made  any  propositions  to  him,  in  reference  to 
any  illegal  or  treasonable  project ;  and  lastly,  the  fallacy 
of  the  inferences  which  his  pretended  friends  attempt  to 
deduce  from  what  he  has  said ;  and  shew  what  Judge 
Williams  has  really  stated  as  General  Jackson's  conver 
sation  with  him,  and  what  the  conversation  (if  indeed 
there  ever  was  one  of  any  such  nature)  related  to. 

In  his  letter  to  Mr.  Kerr,  Judge  Williams  says,  the 
conversation  occurred  upon  his  examination  by  General 
Jackson,  then  a  Judge,  as  to  his  fitness  to  receive  a  license 
to  practise  law ;  but  wrhen  he  discovered  by  the  records 
of  the  State  that  it  would  be  proved,  General  Jackson  was 
not,  and  had  not,  been  a  Judge  for  several  years  before 
this  time,  the  conversation  is  divested  of  this  circumstance 
in  his  subsequent  statements.  In  the  letter  to  Mr.  Kerr, 
Judge  Stewart  is  said  to  have  heard  this  conversation  as 
to  the  offer  of  a  commission ;  but,  when  Judge  Stewart, 
not  only  does  not  recollect  any  such  conversation,  but  is 
sure  none  such  was  held  in  his  presence,  the  scene  of 
the  conversation  is  then  recollected  by  Judge  Williams  to 
have  been  a  solitary  ride  from  General  Jackson's  to  Nash 
ville.  In  his  letter  to  General  Jackson,  Williams  says, 
"  General  Jackson  in  reference  to  that  conspiracy,  or  what 
was  afterwards  called  by  others  a  conspiracy,  said  to 
me  that  I  could,  if  I  would  accept  it,  obtain  a  commission 
of  captain."  In  his  last  statement,  however,  made  and 
published  in  the  Knoxville  Enquirer  of  August  6th, 
1828,  he  says,  "  in  riding  from  General  Jackson's  house 
to  Nashville,  near  the  Clover-Bottom,  he  spoke  to  me  in 
relation  to  a  commission  in  Burr's  army,"  leaving  out 
the  material  idea  of  a  reference  to  what  was  afterwards, 
as  he  says,  called  a  conspiracy ;  showing  thereby  that 


24  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

in  these  statements,  Judge  Williams  does  not  pretend  to 
detail  with  accuracy,  the  words  or  terms  used  in  the  con 
versation,  but  only  the  general  impressions,  and  that  those 
impressions  are  indefinite  and  very  vague,  and  are  the 
mere  floating  and  broken  reminiscences  of  a  feeble  and 
shattered  memory.  Judge  Williams  says,  that  from  the 
best  of  his  recollection,  Mr.  Smith,  Mr.  Curry  and  Dr. 
Watkins,  among  others,  were  present  when  Burr's  effigy 
was  burnt.  Mr.  Smith  says  he  Avas  not  present  either  at 
the  ball,  or  at  the  burning  of  the  effigy.  Mr.  Curry  says 
that  he  was  not  present  at  the  cerejnony  of  burning  Colo 
nel  Burr's  effigy,  and  considered  it  a  disgraceful  act  ;  and 
he  also  says  in  confirmation  of  Judge  Williams'  feeble 
ness  of  memory,  and  the  probable  recentness  of  his  pre 
sent,  impressions  that  '  Mr.  Williams  called  on  me  fre 
quently  after  Burr  became  an  object  of  suspicion,  and  con 
versed  freely  on  the  subject,  and,  as  I  then  thought,  with 
held  nothing  ;  yet  he  never  told  me  that  General'Jackson 
wanted  to  enlist  him  to  fight  the  Spaniards,  nor  ever  men 
tioned  his  name  as  connected  with,  or  knowing  to  any  of 
Burr's  schemes.'  These  and  other  discrepancies  and  con 
tradictions,  are  mentioned,  not  to  shew  any  wilful  or  cor 
rupt  mis-statement  on  the  part  of  Judge  Williams,  but  to 
shew  how  little  credence  or  trust  can  be  placed  on  the  re 
collections  of  a  memory,  mistaken  in  so  many  circum 
stances,  and  persons,  and  things,  when  it  comes  to  detail 
a  conversation,  in  which  a  single  word  would  wholly  trans 
form  its  meaning  and  construction.  But  to  dispose  of 
Judge  Williams,  and  to  shew  what  degree  of  confidence 
was  due  to  what  he  related,  either  as  to  facts  or  the  conver 
sations  of  others — whether  this  want  of  confidence  arose 
from  great  unsoundness  of  memory  or  other  cause — and 
also  to  shew  how  far  Judge  Williams'  feelings  as  to  Gene 
ral  Jackson  entitled  him  to  the  character  of  a  cool  and  im 
partial  witness  ;  and  also  in  further  elucidation  of  Judge 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  25 

Williams'  candour  and  consistency,  the  investigating  com 
mittee  called  the  attention  of  every  American  citizen  to 
the  following  extract  of  a  publication  of  Judge  Williams, 
dated  M'Minnville,  June  28th,  1828. 

"  State  also  if  you  please,  Mr.  Editor,  that  in  the  town 
of  M'Minnville,  there  lives  a  man  by  the  name  of  Theo- 
doric  Burton — a  man  of  truth  and  respectability,  as  I 
have  heard  here.  He  states  that  in  1805,  he  was  one  of 
Burr's  men,  and  was  mustered  into  service  at  the  Clo 
ver  Bottom,  with  arms  in  their  hands — that  above  seventy- 
five  men  signed  the  list  of  enrolment  at  the  same  time 
with  himself — that  at  that  time  General  Jackson  and  Colo 
nel  Burr  were  on  the  ground,  and  that  Patton  Anderson 
was  his  captain.  Burton  says,  when  the  men  under  An 
derson  separated,  it  was  under  an  agreement,  as  to  the  time 
when  they  were  to  march  off  with  Burr,  as  his  men — 
and  that  before  that  time  came  round  the  matter  bursted. 
This  is  a  condensed  view  of  what  Burton  says  ;  who  re 
fuses  to  give  a  written  statement, 

NATH.  W.  WILLIAMS." 

The  attention  of  the  American  people  was  then  call 
ed  to  compare  this  statement  of  Judge  Williams  with 
that  of  Mr.  Burton,  the  gentleman  referred  to  in  the 
above  extract ;  and  we  now  make  the  same  request  of  our 
readers. 

"  M'Minnville,  Warren  County,  Tennessee,  September 
6th,  1828.  To  the  Editors  of  the  Republican.  Gen 
tlemen  : — In  as  much  as  Nathaniel  W.  Williams,  in  a 
late  newspaper  publication,  has  taken  the  liberty  to  advert 
to  my  name,  and  to  give  me  as  authority  for  facts  in  rela 
tion  to  General  Jackson  and  Colonel  Burr,  which  I  never 
stated  to  him  or  any  one  else,  and  which  in  truth  I  never 
heard  of  before  ;  it  is  due  to  my  character,  humble  as  it 
may  be,  and  to  General  Jackson,  the  destruction  of  whose 
private  and  honest  reputation  he  seeks,  to  declare  to  the 
3 


26  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

world  that  I  was  never  mustered  into  Colonel  Burr's  ser 
vice  at  the  Clover  Bottom,  or  any  where  else,  nor  did  I 
ever  so  state  to  Judge  Williams. 

"  When  Colonel  Burr,  was  in  this  country,  many  years 
ago,  (the  particular  year  or  season  of  the  year,  is  not  now 
within  my  recollection,  I  resided  with  Major  Oilman  Dick- 
son,)  Patton  Anderson  passed  through  the  neighborhood, 
and  was  engaged  in  recruiting  a  company,  as  he  said,  for 
the  purpose  of  making  a  settlement  in  the  Washita  coun 
try.  Being  a  young  man,  I  was  prevailed  upon  by  Major 
Dickson  and  Patton  Anderson,  to  join  the  company,  and 
did  actually  enroll  myself  under  Anderson.  I  knew  not 
how  many  men  were  engaged  besides  myself,  nor  do  I 
remember  any  one  of  my  acquaintances  or  neighbors 
who  did  join  the  company.  Here,  however,  the  matter 
ended.  I  was  never  mustered  into  service  at  the  Clover 
Bottom,  nor  did  I  ever  receive  any  arms,  as  I  am  made 
to  say  most  untruly  by  Judge  Williams,  to  whom  I  de 
clare  I  never  made  so  unfounded  an  assertion ;  nor  did  I 
ever  see  any  military  parade  of  any  company  of  persons, 
whatever,  at  the  Clover  Bottom,  or  any  where  else,  at  the 
time  referred  to,  and  as  stated  by  the  Judge. 

"So  far  from  wishing,  or  intending,  from  any  thing  and 
every  thing  I  know  on  the  subject  of  Colonel  Burr  and 
his  alleged  conspiracy,  or  in  any  conversation  with  Judge 
Williams,  to  condemn  General  Jackson,  or  to  connect  his 
name  with  any  scheme,  unfriendly  to  the  government,  I 
wish  to  be  understood  as  declaring  to  the  world  that  I  be 
lieve  him  to  be  an  injured  patriot,  in  many  things — in 
nothing  more  cruelly,  than  in  the  attempt  to  make  him 
a  conspirator.  It  is  right  and  proper  to  add,  that  when 
Judge  Williams  heard  of  my  complaints,  occasioned  by 
his  unauthorized  use  of  my  name  ;  he  wished  to  avoid  the 
censure  that  awaited  him,  by  begging  me  not  to  give  this 
statement,  but  to  leave  to  him  to  exonerate  himself,  by  cor- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  27 

reeling  his  publications.  I  leave  the  world  to  form  their 
opinions  of  such  conduct.  THEODORIC  BURTON." 

After  this  comparison,  and  after  the  concluding  re 
marks  and  facts  exhibited  in  Mr.  Burton's  letter,  we  might 
securely  consign  Judge  Williams,  his  mind,  his  memory, 
his  accuracy,  and  his  credit,  to  be  estimated  as  our  rea 
ders  may  think  meet  and  proper. 

But  we  now  submit  to  the  good  sense  of  all  reflecting 
men,  the  extreme  improbability,  that  under  the  circum 
stances  related  by  Judge  Williams,  any  treasonable  or  il 
legal  proposition  could  have  been  made  to  him  by  Gene 
ral  Jackson  ;  a  proposition,  pregnant  with  the  most  fearful 
and  dangerous  consequences  to  the  projector  ;  made  with 
out  any  previous  ascertainment  of  the  man's  views  or 
feelings  to  whom  it  was  addressed  ;  without  any  promise 
or  even  request  of  secrecy  or  concealment;  without  ex 
planation  or  development  of  the  means  to  be  employed, 
or  the  objects  to  be  attained ;  made  in  a  casual  and  care 
less  conversation,  made  to  a  young  man  of  much  less  than 
mediocrity  of  intellect,  and  who  had  nothing  to  bring  in 
aid  of  such  a  high  and  dangerous  enterprise,  but  want  of 
talent  and  want  of  prudence — contains  a  series  of  impro 
babilities,  which  amount  to  absolute  certainty,  and  which 
the  most  credulous  and  prejudiced,  we  believe,  must  reject. 

But  \vhen  we  come  to  examine  what  Judge  Williams 
relates  of  this  conversation,  we  find  that  if  any  such 
ever  did  occur,  it  must  naturally  and  necessarily  be  refer 
red  to  the  legal,  fair  views  and  publicly  avowed  of  Colonel 
Burr ;  in  the  two  regiments  spoken  of  in  his  letters  to 
General  Jackson,  General  Robertson,  and  others,  to  be  or 
ganized  and  commissioned  by  the  government :  to  the  force 
and  arms  to  be  employed  by  the  United  States,  in  the  an 
ticipated  war  with  Spain ;  to  the  list  of  young  men  spoken 
of  in  Colonel  Burr's  letters,  and  which  was  to  be  laid  be 
fore  the  Secretary  of  War  :  in  short,  to  the  armed  force, 


28  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

at  the  head  of  which,  Colonel  Burr  held  out  the  belief, 
he  was  to  be  placed  by  government,  in  the  event  of  a  war 
\vith  Spain.  Judge  Williams  does  not  pretend  that  Ge 
neral  Jackson  disclosed  to  him  any  treasonable  or  illegal 
projects  ;  does  not  pretend  that  the  offer  spoken  of,  was 
preceded  by  any  conversation  or  communications  by  Ge 
neral  Jackson,  of  any  traitorous  or  illegal  conspiracy 
against  the  peace  or  integrity  of  the  United  States.  If 
such  communications  had  been  made  to  Judge  Williams, 
and  he  had  failed  to  reveal  them  instantly  to  the  proper 
authorities,  he  would  stand  an  infamous  and  avowed  trai 
tor  in  heart,  and  unworthy  the  confidence  of  any  honest 
man  or  true  citizen.  But  he  does  not  say  any  such  plans 
or  plots  were  communicated  to  him;  in  justice  to  Judge 
Williams,  and  in  comformity  with  truth,  we  must  say,  none 
such  ever  were. 

In  his  letter  to  General  Jackson  of  September  27th, 
1828,  Williams  says,  sometime  before  Jefferson's  procla 
mation,  in  riding  from  General  Jackson's  house  to  Nash 
ville,  General  Jackson,  in  reference  to  that  conspiracy, 
err  what  was  afterwards  called  by  others  a  conspiracy, 
said  to  me  "that  I  could,  if  I  would  accept  it,  obtain  a 
commission  of  captain."  This  is  the  only  one  of  Judge 
Williams'  several  statements,  in  which  he  uses  any  term 
even  implying  wrong  or  illegality  ;  the  word  conspiracy, 
and  the  only  words  attributed  to  General  Jackson  are, 
"  General  Jackson  said  to  me,  I  could,  if  I  would  accept 
it,  obtain  a  commission  of  captain."  He  says  that  this 
was  said  by  General  Jackson  in  reference  to  that  con 
spiracy.  What  conspiracy  ?  Did  it  refer  to  any  previous 
conversation  developing  a  conspiracy  ?  Judge  Williams 
does  not  say  so.  No  state  of  facts  then  existed  even  in 
his  mind,  to  which  the  term  conspiracy  was  by  him  then 
attached ;  but  it  was  what  was  afterwards  by  others  called 
so-  This  is  not  left  to  reasoning,  however  conclusive  and 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  29 

satisfactory  that  may  be,  for  in  his  subsequent  and  mature 
statement,  published,  as  he  avows,  from  a  sense  of  duty, 
he  says,  "  in  riding  from  General  Jackson's  house  to 
Nashville,  near  the  Clover  Bottom,  he  spoke  to  me  in  re 
lation  to  a  commission  in  Burr's  army,"  and  this  was 
some  time  in  the  spring  or  fall  of  1806.  Here  the  offer 
and  conversation  is  in  reference  to  "  Burr's  army," — what 
army,  and  for  what  objects?  Beyond  all  question,  the  army 
spoken  of  by  Burr,  in  his  letter  to  General  Jackson  of  March, 
1806 ;  the  officers  to  be  commissioned  by  the  Secretary  of 
War,  and  to  be  employed  against  Spain.  We  now  dismiss 
Judge  Williams. 

We  shall  now  briefly  recapitulate  the  most  material 
facts  and  circumstances,  proved  by  the  foregoing  testimo 
ny.  1st.  That  General  Jackson  only  received  and  treated 
Colonel  Burr,  as  a  generous  and  hospitable  gentleman 
would  receive  and  treat  a  guest  and  acquaintance,  who 
then,  and  long  had,  held  a  distinguished  rank  as  a  states 
man  and  man  of  talents,  in  the  estimation  of  the  great  re 
publican  party  in  the  United  States  ;  who  had  recently 
held  the  second  office  in  the  government,  and  with  whom 
the  honorable  and  the  good  might  associate  without  re 
proach,  and  as  a  man,  in  Mr.  Jefferson's  language,  "  here 
tofore  distinguished  by  the  favor  of  his  country." 

2.  That  General  Jackson  communicated  to  the  govern 
ment  and  its  officers,  fully  and  explicitly,  so  soon  as  he 
had  information  of  any  kind. 

3.  That  Colonel  Burr  never  did  communicate  to  Gene 
ral  Jackson,  any  designs  treasonable  or  hostile  to  the  go 
vernment  of  the  United  States  ;  but  always  avowed  designs 
consistent  with  its  interest,  and  averred  by  him,  to  be  sup 
ported  by  its  countenance  and  authority. 

4.-»That  the  first  public  suspicions  as  to  the  legality  of 
Colonel  Burr's  projects,  were  allayed,  and  to  a  great  de 
gree  destroyed,  by  the  investigations  in  Kentucky  in  the 
3* 


30  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

beginning  of  December,  1806,  by  the  finding  of  the  grand 
jury ;  which  was  evidently  calculated  to  have  this  effect, 
and  which  effect  is  proved  by  Mr.  Jefferson's  message  of 
January  22d,  1807,  to  have  been  produced,  where  he 
says,  "  In  Kentucky  the  premature  attempt  to  bring 
Burr  to  justice  without  sufficient  evidence  for  his  convic 
tion,  has  produced  a  popular  impression  in  his  favor,  and 
a  general  disbelief  of  his  guilt." 

5.  That  after  suspicions  had  been  excited  against  Colo 
nel  Burr,  or  after  the  letters  to  Governor  Claiborne,  Ge 
neral  Smith,  and  Doctor  Dickson,  Colonel  Burr  never 
was  invited  to  General  Jackson's  house ;  but  that,  when 
in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  in  the  month  of  December,  1806, 
he  remained,  not  at  General  Jackson's,  but  at  a  tavern,  at 
the  Clover  Bottom,  several  miles  distant,  near  which  his 
boats  were  ;  and  he  was  received  with  a  marked  change 
of  manners  and  coldness  by  Jackson  and  others  ;  and  an 
interview  was  sought  with  Burr  by  Jackson,  and  had  in 
the   presence   of    several   gentlemen,   when   Burr   most 
solemnly  avowed  his  innocence,  and  disavowed  all  objects 
hostile  to  the  Union  of  government ;  and  that  the  presi 
dent's  proclamation  was  not  received  at  Nashville,  until 
the  27th  of  -December,  1806,.  five  days  after  Colonel  Burr's 
departure  with  only  two  boats. 

6.  That  from  the  unhappy  inaccuracy  of  Judge  Wil 
liams'  memory  and  recollections,  no  reliance  can  be  placed 
on  his  statements  ;  but  that  if  any  such  reliance  could  be 
given,  it  is  shown  that  the  offer  and  conversation  he  speaks 
of,  related  above,  was  to  the  public,  well  known  and  legal 
objects  held  out  and  spoken  of  by  Colonel  Burr. 

We  do  not  feel  perfectly  sure,  that  in  the  course  we 
have  pursued,  in  the  refutation  of  these  charges,  we  shall 
not  be  considered  by  some,  as  manifesting  a  want  of  pro 
per  trust  in  the  enlightened  intelligence,  and  the  noble 
and  confiding  natures  of  the  American  people ;  and  whe- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  31 

ther  it  might  not  be  thought  a  more  than  sufficient  answer 
to  the  base  surmises,  the  unworthy  suspicions,  and  the 
feebly  labored  arguments,  which  have  been  circulated 
with  so  much  industry,  to  point  with  emphasis  to  a  long 
life  devoted  to  the  service  of  his  country :  his  boyhood 
given  to  the  war  of  the  revolution,  and  to  the  achievement 
of  her  independence ;  his  mature  manhood  to  the  honest 
and  faithful  discharge  of  all  the  duties  of  her  highest  civil 
employments  ;  and  his  late  years,  when  age  might  claim 
an  exemption  from  toil  and  danger,  when  his  accusers 
were  to  be  found  in  the  courts  and  palaces  of  kings,  or 
reposing  in  the  lap  of  ease  and  luxury,  he  was  only  to  be 
found  in  the  wilderness  and  on  the  field  of  battle  ;  only  in 
the  pursuit  or  in  the  face  of  the  enemies  of  his  country, 
exposed  to  every  peril,  to  every  privation,  to  every  suffer 
ing,  before  which  the  coward  or  the  traitor's  heart  would 
have  quailed  or  been  subdued.  This  might  be  relied  on 
as  a  sufficient  reply  to  the  charge,  that  General  Jackson 
was  tainted  with  treason,  that  he  was  leagued  and  con 
nected  with  traitors  and  enemies  to  his  country.  And  how 
ill-timed  and  ungraciously,  this  charge  comes  at  this  late 
day  !  There  was  a  time  of  all  others,  when  if  true,  or  if 
colored  by  the  semblance  of  truth,  it  should  have  been 
urged  and  loudly  trumpeted :  in  the  dark  and  stormy 
period  of  1813  and  1814,  when  treason  was  much  spoken 
of  and  much  feared ;  when  a  severance  of  the  Union  was 
not  darkly  hinted  at,  but  boldly  spoken  of  in  the  capitol ; 
not  about  to  be  effected  by  two  empty  flat  boats,  and  half 
a  dozen  unarmed  men,  but  urged,  countenanced,  and  sup 
ported,  by  the  most  powerful  nation  on  the  earth,  then  our 
foe,  and  hanging  on  all  our  coasts  and  frontiers,  with  her 
victorious  and  numerous  fleets  and  armies  : — then  was  the 
time  when  traitors  should  have  been  denounced,  when 
Jackson,  if  suspected,,  should  have  been  handled  with  in 
famy,  and  all  power  and  confidence  withheld  from  him : 


32  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

then,  when  he  was  to  take  command  of  one  division  of 
the  armies  of  the  United  States,  to  be  invested  with  unli 
mited  military  power,  should  he  have  been  held  up  as 
shrouded  in  suspicion,  and  unworthy  to  be  trusted.  But 
did  a  whisper,  a  murmur,  then,  of  doubt  or  distrust  break 
forth  ?  All  looked  to  him  as  a  father  and  friend,  with 
whom  in  that  fearful  hour,  the  safety  of  the  nation  and  its 
highest  powers,  could  be  deposited  with  the  utmost  secu 
rity. 

But  having  proofs,  we  deemed  it  best  to  present  them, 
which  not  only  positively  and  directly  disprove  this 
charge,  in  all  its  forms,  and  expose  the  propagators  of  it 
to  shame  and  confusion,  but  will  shed  additional  lustre 
on  the  endowments  both  of  the  head  and  heart  of  this  dis 
tinguished  benefactor  of  his  country ;  and  prove  the  truth 
of  that  elevated  and  manly  sentiment  expressed  to  his 
friends,  in  reference  to  this  subject,  when  loose  scraps 
and  notes  written  in  haste  many  years  ago,  and  long  for 
gotten,  were  raked  up  and  published  :  "  I  recollect  them 
not,  but  this  I  do  know,  and  avow,  that  never  in  all  my 
life  did  I  entertain  even  a  thought  that  I  would  not  cheer 
fully  submit  to  the  judgment  of  the  American  people,  and 
stand  or  fall  by  their  decision."  (1) 

(1)  See  Appendix. 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Mr.  Jackson  a  Major-General — The  war  of  1812 — 
Causes  which  led  to  it — Indian  hostilities — General 
Harrison  checks  them — The  Southern  tribes — Te- 
cumseh  appears  among  them — excites  them  to  hos 
tility —  The  Creeks — their  hostile  preparations — 
Acts  of  Congress  for  raising  volunteers — General 
Jackson  addresses  the  militia  of  his  division — His 
expedition  to  Natchez — Disobeys  the  order  of  the 
Secretary  of  War — Is  justified — Creek  war — Mas 
sacre  of  Fort  Mimms — General  Jackson  marches 
against  the  Creeks — Battle  of  Tallushatches — Gen. 
Jackson's  and  General  Coffee* s  report  of  it. 

IN  1812,  Mr.  Jackson  was  still  Major-General  of  the 
militia  of  the  state  of  Tennessee  ;  an  appointment  which 
he  received  at  the  time  of  the  admission  of  that  state  into 
the  Union.  This  period,  so  dark  and  ominous  for  the 
prosperity  of  our  republic,  must  be  vivid  in  the  recollec 
tion  of  every  American  reader.  Great  Britain  had  been 
for  a  series  of  years  in  the  habit  of  violating  the  dearest 
rights  of  our  citizens,  till  roused,  at  length,  they  caught 
the  spirit  which  prompted  those 

"  Who  fought  and  won  at  Bennington, 
And  bled  at  Bunker  Hill ;" 

and  stood  forth  in  their  might  to  assert  and  maintain  those 
invaluable  privileges,  which  had  been  planted  and  nur 
tured  by  their  fathers'  blood. 

A  brief  sketch  of  the  causes  which  led  to  the  war  in 


34  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

which  General  Jackson  took  so  distinguished  a  part,  may 
not  be  inappropriate,  in  order  to  give  the  reader  a  clear 
idea  of  the  motives  which  actuated  him  in  the  prosecution 
of  the  arduous  and  responsible  duties  of  his  station. 

Unavailing  had  been  the  attempts  of  Great  Britain  to 
rivet  the  chains  of  bondage  upon  us  by  her  odious  system 
of  legislation ;  vain  had  been  her  efforts  to  awe  us  into 
subjection  by  her  military  prowess  ;  and  at  last  with  the 
greatest  reluctance,  a  reluctance  which  necessity  alone 
was  able  to  overcome,  was  she  brought  to  acknowledge 
our  independence.  This  mortified  her  extremely,  and 
induced  her,  to  vent  her  spleen,  by  tolerating  her  subjects 
in  the  practice  of  wanton  aggressions  upon  the  rights  and 
immunities  of  the  American  people,  from  that  period  to 
our  last  contest  with  that  nation.  She  saw  that  the  con 
federation  which  held  the  states  together,  during  a  contest 
with  an  implacable  enemy,  would  be  relaxed  and  broken 
in  a  time  of  peace.  She  hoped  that  civil  dissensions 
would  divide  and  weaken  us,  and  produce  a  train  of  cir 
cumstances  which  might  serve  to  bring  us  again  under 
her  subjection.  To  use  the  language  of  one  who  has 
written  forcibly  upon  this  subject,  "  It  was  happy  for 
America  that  she  possessed,  at  this  moment,  a  galaxy  of 
sages  and  patriots,  who  held  a  powerful  influence  over  the 
minds  of  their  fellow-citizens.  By  their  exertions,  a 
spirit  of  compromise  and  accommodation  was  introduced, 
which  terminated  in  our  present  glorious  compact.  By 
this  event,  Great  Britain  lost,  for  a  time,  the  opportunity 
of  tampering  with  the  states,  of  fomenting  jealousies,  and 
of  governing  by  division.  Her  policy  was  changed ;  it 
became  a  favorite  idea,  that  our  growth  should  be  re 
pressed,  and  so  many  impediments  thrown  in  our  way,  as 
to  convince  us  that  we  had  gained  nothing  by  becoming  free. 
We  soon  experienced  the  effects  of  her  disappointment. 
Contrary  to  express  stipulation,  she  refused  to  surrender 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  35 

the  western  parts,  and,  at  the  same  time,  secretly  insti 
gated  the  savages  to  murder  the  frontier  settlers."  Spain 
was,  at  this  very  moment,  practising  her  intrigues,  to 
draw  off  the  western  states  from  the  confederacy,  of  which 
there  is  little  doubt  England  would  soon  have  availed  her 
self. 

"  We  also  came  in  contact  with  Britain  on  the  ocean  ; 
our  commerce  began  to  flourish  ;  and  on  the  breaking  out 
of  the  French  war,  she  found  in  us  formidable  rivals.  In 
order  to  put  a  stop  to  this  competition,  she  called  into  life 
the  odious  and  almost  obsolete  rule  of  '56,  which  is  a  pal 
pable  violation  of  the  law  of  nations.  The  spirit  of  this 
rule  is  to  prevent  the  neutral  from  enjoying  any  commerce 
which  would  not,  at  the  same  time,  be  open  to  the  belli 
gerent  ;  in  other  words,  to  permit  no  neutral.  The 
orders  in  council  which  followed  in  1793,  were  barely 
tolerable,  compared  with  those  of  November  sixth,  which 
were  secretly  circulated  among  the  British  cruisers,  au 
thorizing  them  to  capture  'all  vessels  laden  with  the 
produce  of  any  of  the  colonies  of  France,  or  carrying 
provision  or  supplies  to  the  said  colony,'  which  swept, 
at  once,  the  greater  part  of  our  commerce  from  the  ocean. 
This  produced  great  dissatisfaction  among  the  American 
people.  They  were  clamorous  for  war,  which  the  firm 
ness  of  Washington  alone  prevented.  The  orders  in 
council  were  modified  a  little  by  those  issued  in  1795  and 
'98;  but  the  same  vexations  and  abuses  continued.  To 
these  aggressions  were  added  the  violations  of  our  com 
mercial  and  maritime  rights,  by  the  impressment  of  our 
seamen,  and  hostile  attacks  upon  our  ships.  The  con 
sequences  that  followed,  are  familiar  to  every  American 
reader. 

"  While  the  public  mind  was  in  a  state  of  ferment, 
from  our  disputes  with  England  and  France,  our  frontiers 
were  threatened  with  an  Indian  war  from  the  instigations 


36  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

of  the  former.  The  United  States  have  frequently  been 
charged  with  cruel  violence  and  injustice  to  the  Indians. 
That  we  had  encroached  upon  their  hunting  grounds, 
cannot  be  denied,  but  this  was  the  necessary  consequence 
of  the  increase  in  our  population ;  but  the  great  differ 
ence  between  us  and  other  nations,  in  relation  to  Indian 
lands,  is,  that  instead  of  taking  them  without  ever 
acknowledging  the  right  of  the  Indians,  we  have  en 
deavored  to  obtain  them  by  fair  purchase.  The  United 
States  were  the  first  to  respect  the  Indian  territorial  right, 
as  they  were  the  first  to  abolish  the  slave  trade  and  domes 
tic  slavery ;  for,  as  a  nation,  we  have  forbidden  it. 

"  There  existed,  at  this  period,  a  celebrated  Indian 
warrior,  who  had  been  always  remarkable  for  his  enmity 
to  the  whites,  and  who,  like  Pontiac,  had  formed  the  design 
of  uniting  all  the  different  tribes,  in  order  to  oppose  an 
effectual  barrier  to  the  further  extension  of  the  settle 
ments.  Tecumseh  was  a  formidable  enemy  ;  he  resorted 
to  every  artifice  to  stir  up  the  minds  of  the  Indians 
against  us.  Of  an  active  and  restless  character,  he 
visited  the  most  distant  nations,  and  endeavored  to  rouse 
them  by  his  powerful  eloquence.  He  also  assailed  the 
superstitious  minds  of  his  countrymen,  by  means  of  his 
brother,  a  kind  of  conjuror,  called  'the  prophet.'  He 
had  received  assurances  from  the  British  of  such  assist 
ance  as  would  enable  him  to  carry  his  plans  into  execution. 
In  the  year  1811,  a  council  was  held  by  Governor  Har 
rison,  of  Indiana,  at  Vincennes,  and  at  which  Tecumseh 
attended,  to  remonstrate  against  a  purchase  lately  made 
from  the  Kickapoos  and  some  other  tribes.  In  a  strain 
of  wonderful  eloquence,  the  orator  inveighed  against  the 
encroachments  of  the  Americans,  gave  a  faithful  history 
of  the  progress  of  the  settlements,  from  the  first  com 
mencement  on  the  Delaware,  to  the  moment  at  which  he 
spoke.  When  answered  by  Harrison,  he  grasped  his 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  37 

tomahawk,  in  a  fit  of  phrenzy,  and  boldly  charged  the 
American  governor  with  having  uttered  what  was  false ; 
the  warriors  who  attended  him,  twenty  or  thirty  in  num 
ber,  followed  his  example  ;  but  Harrison  had  fortunately 
posted  a  guard  of  soldiers  near,  who  put  a  stop  to  their 
fury.  -  .-^UJ 

"  Towards  the  close  of  the  year,  the  frontier  settlers 
had  become  seriously  alarmed  ;  every  thing  on  the  part  of 
the  Indians  appeared  to  indicate  approaching  hostilities. 
Grov.  Harrison  resolved  to  march  towards  the  prophet's 
town,  with  a  body  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana  militia,  and  the 
fourth  United  States  regiment,  und«r  command  of  Colonel 
Boyd,  to  demand  satisfaction  of  the  Indians,  and  to  put  a 
stop  to  their  hostile  designs.  In  the  month  of  November, 
having  approached  within  a  few  miles  of  the  prophet's 
town,  the  principal  chiefs  came  out  with  offers  of  peace 
and  submission,  and  requested  the  governor  to  encamp  for 
the  night,  as  it  was  then  too  late  to  enter  upon  business. 
It  was  not  long  before  this  was  discovered  to  be  a  treacher 
ous  artifice.  At  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  camp 
was  furiously  assailed,  and  after  a  bloody  and  doubtful 
contest,  the  Indians  were  finally  repulsed,  with  the  loss 
of  one  hundred  and  eighty  killed  and  wounded  on  our 
part,  and  a  still  greater  number  on  theirs.  A  number  of 
valuable  officers  fell  on  this  occasion.  Harrison,  after 
this,  destroyed  the  prophet's  town,  and  having  established 
forts,  returned  to  Vincennes."  »  r{fj 

Tecumseh  fled  to  the  southern  tribes,  upon  the  Alabama, 
early  in  1812,  to  inspire  the  savages  there  to  act  in  con 
cert  with  their  red  brethren  of  the  north.  But,  nothing 
had  so  powerful  effect  in  exciting  the  hostilities  of  the 
Creek,  Alabama,  and  Seminole  Indians,  against  the  bor 
derers  of  the  South- West  Territory,  as  the  promises, 
bribery,  and  corrupting  influence  of  British  and  Spanish 
emissaries.  With  their  hereditary  hatred  against  the 
4 


38  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Americans,  added  to  the  enthusiasm  excited  by  Tecumseh, 
and  the  liberal  aid  of  the  British  and  Spanish  govern 
ments,  these  powerful  tribes,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
last  war,  were  prepared  to  extend  over  our  western 
frontiers  all  the  devastation  and  horrors  of  savage  hos 
tility. 

The  states  of  Tennessee  and  Georgia,  from  their  vicinity 
to  the  extensive  country  inhabited  by  the  Creeks,  were 
more  immediately  exposed  to  Indian  ravages.  Familiar 
ized  to  their  unrelenting  barbarity,  the  citizens  of  these 
states  were  fully  aware,  that  nothing  but  a  war  of  exter 
mination  against  the  Creeks,  would  protect  their  own 
settlements  on  the  frontiers  from  destruction,  and  their 
families  from  inhuman  butchery.  Tecumseh  had,  by  his 
art,  his  eloquence,  and  his  assumed  divinity,  infused  into 
the  Creek  nation  the  most  deadly  hatred  against  the  Ame 
ricans.  He  addressed  himself  to  their  pride,  by  reminding 
them  of  the  ancient  power  of  the  savages,  and  the  bound 
less  extent  of  their  territory.  He  aroused  their  vengeance 
against  us,  as  the  people  who  had  reduced  their  numbers, 
and  diminished  their  greatness.  He  censured  them  for 
their  conformity  in  any  respect  to  the  Americans,  and 
exhorted  them  upon  the  fearful  penalty  of  the  displeasure 
of  the  Great  Spirit,  to  return  to  their  original  savage 
habits.  The  instigations  of  a  master  spirit,  such  as  was 
Tecumseh,  produced  a  powerful  effect  upon  the  tribes  of 
the  south.  A  complete  concert  was  established  between 
all  the  southern  tribes,  and  a  general  concert  between  them 
and  the  northern  ones.  War  clubs  were  every  where  dis 
tributed  ;  but  the  most  profound  secrecy  enjoined. 

Such  was  the  situation  of  our  national  relations,  when 
the  acts  of  Congress  of  the  6th  February,  and  July,  1812, 
authorizing  the  President  to  accept  the  services  of  fifty 
thousand  volunteers,  were  promulgated.  On  receipt  of 
intelligence  relating  to  the  passage  of  these  acts,  General 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  39 

Jackson  published  an  energetic  address  to  the  militia  of 
his  division,  which  drew  two  thousand  five  hundred  of 
them  to  his  standard,  and  without  delay  he  made  a  tender 
of  their  services  to  the  government,  which  tender  was 
accepted.  The  detachment  having  been  embodied  and 
organized,  was  ordered  to  proceed  by  water  to  New- 
Orleans. 

Subsequently  to  his  departure,  General  Jackson  was 
ordered  to  halt  near  Natchez,  and  in  compliance  with  it,  he 
took  a  position  in  the  neighborhood  of  that  city.  Here, 
while  attending  to  the  health  and  discipline  of  the  corps, 
he  received  a  laconic  mandate  from  the  War  Department, 
commanding  him  to  dismiss  his  volunteers,  and  deliver  all 
public  property  in  his  possession  to  General  Wilkinson, 
then  commanding  the  military  district  in  which  they  were 
stationed.  This  order  he  disobeyed,  and,  for  so  doing,  he 
has  been  most  grievously  reproached.  But  a  detail  of  the 
circumstances,  we  doubt  not,  will  convince  our  readers, 
that  his  justification  is  complete. 

"  It  is  first  to  be  noticed,  that  as  all  men  have  some 
degree  of  fallibility  and  some  degree  of  discretion,  and  as 
the  imperfections  of  language,  and  the  interposition  of  dis 
tance,  give  ample  scope  for  both,  it  may  well  happen,  that 
the  non-execution  of  an  order  is  the  best  possible  mode  of 
obeying  the  government.  When  an  officer  receives  an 
order,  which  the  exercise  of  a  sound  discretion  convinces 
him  would  not  have  been  issued,  had  the  condition  of  the 
circumstances  in  which  it  was  to  operate  been  known  to 
the  authority  from  which  it  proceeded,  the  spirit  of  his 
duty  comes  in  direct  opposition  to  the  letter  of  his  order. 
Obedience,  in  such  a  case,  consists  not  in  a  blind  submis 
sion  to  the  words,  but  in  a  zealous  fulfilment  of  the  inten 
tions  of  the  government.  The  order  of  the  Emperor,  it  is 
true,  authorized  Grouchy  to  continue  his  unprofitable  con 
test  with  the  Prussians,  but  the  spirit  of  his  duty  required 


40  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

his  presence  and  exertions  at  Waterloo.  By  disregarding 
the  signal  which  recalled  him  from  fight,  Lord  Nelson 
fulfilled  the  wishes  of  his  government,  shook  the  throne 
of  Denmark,  and  shattered  the  confederacy  of  the  northern 
powers.  Nothing  can  be  more  obvious  than  the  distinc 
tion  between  nominal  and  real  obedience,  and  it  is  singular 
that  this  should  have  escaped  the  attention  of  General 
Jackson's  accusers.  They  seem  to  forget  that  an  order 
may  be  obscure,  and  therefore  liable  to  misconstruction  ; 
and  that  it  may  contain  imperfections  of  date  or  expression, 
which  bring  into  doubt  its  genuineness.  In  the  case  now 
considered,  all  these  causes  operated  against  a  strict  ex 
ecution  of  the  order.  General  Jackson  could  not  be  easily 
convinced  that  it  was  the  intention  of  the  President,  after 
accepting  the  service  of  his  volunteers,  and  removing  them 
six  hundred  miles  from  their  homes,  in  an  inclement  sea 
son,  pregnant  with  disease  ;  and  beyond  a  vast  wilderness 
filled  with  hostility,  to  deprive  them  of  food  to  save  them 
from  hunger — to  strip  them  of  tents  to  cover  them  from 
the  weather — and  of  arms  to  defend  them  from  the  sa 
vages. 

"  Yet,  on  the  15th  of  March,  he  received  the  duplicate 
of  the  order  to  which  we  have  already  adverted,  requiring 
him  '  to  consider  his  troops  as  dismissed  from  public  ser 
vice,  and  to  deliver  over  to  General  Wilkinson  all  articles 
of  public  property  which  may  have  been  put  into  their  pos 
session' — not  leaving  the  men  a  mouthful  of  food — in 
the  hands  of  the  detachment  a  musket  or  cartridge — in 
the  possession  of  the  corps  a  single  tent  or  wagon,  or  the 
smallest  accommodation  for  their  sick,  of  whom  there  were 
more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty.  He  received  another 
copy  of  the  same  order,  which  was  dated  near  a  month 
earlier,  before  General  Armstrong,  whose  signature  it 
bore,  had  come  into  the  War  Department,  containing 
variations  of  expression,  which  made  it  appear  not  to  be 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  41 

an  exact  copy.  However,  he  determined  to  obey  it  with 
as  much  exactness  and  as  little  delay  as  possible.  He 
saw  that  its  declaratory  part  effected  itself; — he  and  his 
detachment  were  dismissed  the  service  of  the  United 
States.  The  order  was  not  a  direction  to  disband ;  but  a 
notification  of  dismissal,  so  far  effected  itself,  and  required 
in  no  degree  the  agency  of  General  Jackson.  Its  man 
datory  clause,  relating  to  public  property,  and  admitting  of 
some  exceptions,  he  conceived  it  his  duty,  both  to  the 
government  and  to  his  men,  not  to  carry  into  full  execution. 
Viewing  ours  as  a  just  and  paternal  government,  he  con 
sidered  his  detachment  much  as  the  law  considers  a  pre- 
termitted  child,  and  determined  to  do  that  for  his  men 
which  the  government  had,  it  appeared,  forgotten  to  do. 
In  a  letter  to  the  governor  of  Tennessee,  under  whose 
authority  the  order  of  the  Secretary  had  replaced  him,  he 
says,  *  I  have,  however,  from  the  necessity  of  the  case, 
determined  to  keep  some  of  the  tents,  and  to  march  the 
men  back  in  as  good  order  as  possible ;  and  I  will  make 
every  sacrifice  to  add  to  their  comfort.  I  have  required 
of  the  contractor  here  twenty  days'  rations,  which  will  take 
my  men  to  Colbert's  ;  and  I  must  trust  in  Providence  and 
your  exertions,  to  furnish  them  with  supplies  from  there  to 
Nashville.'  To  General  Wilkinson,  who  had  enclosed 
the  order,  he  says  :  '  I  have  had  the  honor  of  receiving 
your  letter  of  the  8th  inst.  with  its  enclosures,  containing 
directions  for  me  to  deliver  over  the  public  property  to  you, 
which  is  in  the  possession  of  my  detachment.  The  order 
will  be  complied  with,  except  a  small  reservation  of  tents 
for  the  sick,  and  some  other  indispensable  articles.  I 
acknowledge  the  order  was  unexpected ;  but  I  coincide 
with  you  in  sentiment,  that  those  who  are  bound,  must 
obey.'  " 

Let  our  readers  recollect,  that  the  law  under  which  the 
services  of  this  corps  had  been  accepted,  made  the  arms 
4* 


42  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

and  accoutrements  of  the  soldier,  his  private  property  at 
his  discharge — operating  like  a  bounty  on  enlistments — 
and  that  of  course  General  Jackson  had  no  right  to  apply 
it  to  this  species  of  military  property,  and  that  he  only  sus 
pended  its  execution  so  far  as  to  retain  a  few  tents  and 
other  articles  indispensable  to  the  care  of  the  sick,  until 
he  could  get  his  corps  through  the  wilderness,  which  was 
already  the  scene  of  those  Indian  murders  that  soon 
brought  on  the  Creek  war  ;  that  to  effect  this  honorable 
and  patriotic  purpose,  he  borrowed  five  thousand  dollars 
of  a  merchant  in  Natchez  ;  that  the  government  itself 
sanctioned  his  proceedings  ;  that  this  chivalric  corps  con 
tained  the  Coffees  and  the  Carrols,  who  fought  where- 
ever  they  could  find  a  foe,  and  the  Lauderdales  and  the 
Donelsons  who  fell  with  so  much  glory  ;  and  also  that 
the  tender  of  this  corps  had  been  accepted  by  government 
in  August,  that  they  had  been  assembled  in  December, 
had  embarked  on  the  Cumberland  in  January,  that  after 
voyaging,  often  through  floating  ice  and  stormy  weather, 
more  than  one  thousand  miles,  they  had  encamped  near 
Natchez,  on  the  21st  of  February,  and  that  had  General 
Jackson  then,  through  fear  of  "  indignity,"  disbanded 
his  troops,  and  left  them  uncovered,  unfed,  undefended, 
victims  to  disease,  to  want,  and  to  murder ;  the  patriots 
of  Tennessee  would  have  been  justly  disgusted  with  a  ser 
vice,  which,  when  inspired  with  gratitude  and  affection 
for  their  faithful  leader,  they  adhered  to  with  such  zeal 
and  triumphant  efficacy  ;  and  the  American  people  would 
be  apt  to  conclude,  that  more  moderation  on  the  part  of 
General  Jackson,  would  have  been  mean  spirited  ;  would 
have  betrayed  a  want  of  that  sensibility  to  the  claims  of 
friendship,  and  neighborhood,  and  fellowship,  which  he 
so  ardently  felt,  which  did  him  so  much  honor  as  a  man, 
and  were  so  fortunate  in  the  event  to  his  country.  It 
appears,  then,  that  so  far  from  deserving  censure  for  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  43 

modified  execution  of  the  order  in  question,  which  was  so 
abundantly  justified  by  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  was 
approved  by  the  government,  and  sanctioned  by  events ; 
he  merits  the  praise  of  prudence  and  generosity,  and  is 
entitled  to  the  gratitude  of  his  country,  for  that  seasonable 
and  enlightened  independence,  which  had  the  effect  of 
attaching  to  him  and  to  her  the  materials  of  future  safety 
and  honor. 

General  Jackson  having  overcome  all  opposition  in  as 
suming  the  bold  position,  already  spoken  of,  and  so  high 
ly  justifiable,  as  the  circumstances  we  have  detailed  abun 
dantly  prove,  broke  up  his  camp,  and  commenced  the  march 
of  his  corps  to  Tennessee.  Nothing  could  exceed  the 
fortitude  and  perseverance  of  this  patriotic  band  and  their 
intrepid  leader,  during  their  march  of  five  hundred  miles 
through  deep  morasses,  and  unbroken  forests,  exposed  to 
every  hardship  and  privation.  General  Jackson  animated 
and  encouraged  his  troops  by  his  example,  resigned  his 
horse  to  assist  in  conveying  the  sick,  and  marched  on  foot 
in  the  ranks  with  his  soldiers,  partook  with  them  their 
meagre  diet,  and  was  unremitting  in  his  endeavors  to  mi 
tigate  their  sufferings  and  soften  their  hardships.  At  the 
close  of  his  march,  he  disbanded  his  men,  who  returned 
to  their  respective  homes. 

The  Creeks,  as  our  readers  will  recollect,  for  some  months 
previous  to  these  transactions,  had  manifested  a  spirit  of 
hostility  to  the  United  States.  Our  situation  in  regard  to 
them  was  now  of  a  nature  which  excited  much  alarm 
among  the  borderers  of  Georgia,  Tennessee  and,  Mississip 
pi.  In  consequence  of  the  threatening  appearances  to  the 
south,  and  the  hostilities  which  already  prevailed  with  the 
Indians  inhabiting  the  Spanish  territory,  Governor  Mitch 
ell,  of  Georgia,  was  required  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  to 
detach  a  brigade  to  the  Oakmulgee  river,  for  the  purpose  of 
covering  the  frontier  settlements  of  the  state.  Governor 


44  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

Holmes  of  the  Mississippi  territory,  was  at  the  same  time 
ordered  to  join  a  body  of  militia  to  the  volunteers  under 
General  Claiborne,  then  stationed  on  the  Mobile.  In  the 
course  of  the  summer,  the  settlers  in  the  vicinity  of  that 
river,  became  so  much  alarmed  from  the  hostile  deport 
ment  of  the  Creeks,  that  the  greater  part  abandoned  their 
plantations,  and  sought  refuge  in  the  different  forts,  Avhile 
the  peace  party  amongst  the  Creeks  had,  in  some  places, 
shut  themselves  up  in  forts,  and  were  besieged  by  their 
countrymen. 

Hostilities  were  commenced  by  one  of  the  most  shock 
ing  massacres  that  can  be  found  recorded  in  the  an 
nals  of  savage  warfare.  The  borderers,  from  an  imper 
fect  idea  of  their  danger,  had  adopted  an  erroneous  mode 
of  defence,  by  throwing  themselves  into  small  forts  or  sta 
tions,  at  great  distances  from  each  other,  on  the  various 
branches  of  the  Mobile.  Early  in  August  it  was  ascer 
tained  that  the  Indians  intended  to  make  an  attack  upon 
all  these  stations,  and  destroy  them  in  detail.  The  first 
place  of  contemplated  attack  was  fort  Mimms,  in  which 
the  greatest  number  of  inhabitants  had  been  collected. 
Towards  the  latter  part  of  August,  information  was  brought 
that  the  Indians  were  about  to  make  an  attack  on  this  fort, 
but  unfortunately  too  little  attention  was  paid  to  the  warn 
ing.  During  the  momentary  continuance  of  the  alarm, 
some  preparations  were  made  for  defence,  but  it  seems 
that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  rouse  them  from  their  un 
fortunate  disbelief  of  the  proximity  of  their  danger.  The 
fort  was  commanded  by  Major  Beasley,  of  the  Mississippi 
territory,  a  brave  officer,  with  about  one  hundred  volun 
teers  under  his  command.  By  some  fatality,  notwith 
standing  the  warnings  he  had  received,  he  was  not  suffi 
ciently  on  his  guard,  and  suffered  himself  to  be  surprised 
on  the  30th  of  August,  at  noonday*  The  sentinel  had 
scarcely  time  to  notify  the  approach  of  the  Indians,  when 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  45 

they  rushed  with  a  terrific  yell  towards  the  gate,  which 
was  open  ;  the  garrison  was  instantly  under  arms,  and 
the  commander,  with  some  of  his  men  flew,  towards  the 
gate  in  order  to  close  it,  and  if  possible  expel  the  enemy ; 
but  he  soon  fell  mortally  wounded.  After  a  desperate 
conflict,  the  gate  was  finally  closed ;  but  a  number  of  In 
dians  had  taken  possession  of  a  block-house,  from  which 
they  were  expelled  after  a  bloody  contest.  The  assault 
was  still  continued  for  an  hour,  on  the  outside  of  the  pick 
ets  ;  the  port  holes  were  several  times  carried  by  the  assail 
ants,  and  retaken  by  those  within  the  fort. 

The  Indians  withdrew  for  a  moment,  apparently  disheart 
ened  by  their  loss,  but  on  being  harangued  by  their  chief, 
Weatherford,  with  all  the  fervour  of  Indian  eloquence, 
they  returned  with  augmented  fury  to  the  attack — cut 
away  the  gate  with  their  axes — forced  the  pickets — pos 
sessed  themselves  of  the  area  of  the  fort,  and  compelled 
the  besieged  to  take  refuge  in  the  houses.  Here  they 
made  a  gallant  resistance,  but  the  Indians  at  length  setting 
fire  to  the  roofs,  their  situation  became  one  of  utter  hope 
lessness.  A  more  horrible  scene  of  carnage  than  that  which 
followed  the  possession  of  this  fortress  by  the  savages  ne 
ver  appeared  upon  the  records  of  human  butchery.  The 
agonizing  shrieks  of  the  women  and  their  helpless  chil 
dren  were  unavailing ;  not  a  soul  was  spared  by  these 
monsters ;  from  age  to  infancy,  they  became  the  victims  of 
indiscriminite  massacre ;  and  some  to  avoid  a  worse  fate 
rushed  into  the  flames.  A  few  only  escaped  by  leaping 
over  the  pickets  while  the  Indians  were  engaged  in  the 
work  of  death.  About  two  hundred  and  sixty  persons, 
of  all  ages  and  sexes,  perished.  The  panic  caused  at  the 
other  outposts,  or  stations,  by  this  dreadful  catastrophe^ 
can  scarcely  be  described  ;  the  wretched  inhabitants,  fear 
ing,  a  similar  fate  abandoned  their  retreats  of  fancied  se 
curity  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  and  effected  their  es- 


46  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

cape  to  Mobile  after  the  endurance  of  every  species  of 
suffering.  The  dwellings  of  the  borderers  were  burnt, 
and  their  cattle  destroyed. 

On  the  receipt  of  this  disastrous  intelligence,  the  in 
habitants  of  Tennessee,  though  not  in  immediate  danger, 
adopted  the  most  energetic  measures  to  protect  the  border 
ers,  and  avenge  the  massacre  at  fort  Mimms.  The  legis 
lature  of  the  state  convened  towards  the  close  of  Septem 
ber,  and  authorized  Governor  Blount  to  call  into  immedi 
ate  service  three  thousand  five  hundred  of  the  militia,  and 
voted  a  large  sum  for  their  support.  The  legislature,  and 
indeed  the  whole  population  of  Tennessee,  fixed  their 
hopes  upon  General  Jackson.  The  confidence  of  all  in 
him  was  unlimited.  It  had  long  been  his  opinion,  that  the 
only  effectual  mode  of  warfare  against  the  savages,  was 
to  carry  war  into  the  heart  of  their  country.  General 
Wayne  many  years  since,  and  General  Harrison  more 
recently,  had  evinced  the  correctness  of  this  opinion. 
The  legislature  accorded  with  him  in  sentiment,  and  the 
command  of  the  intended  expedition  devolved  upon  him. 
He  was  ordered  by  Governor  Blount  to  call  out  two  thou 
sand  militia,  and  to  rendezvous  at  Fayetteville.  A  part  of 
this  detachment  consisted  of  the  Tennessee  volunteers,  who 
had  the  preceding  spring  returned  from  Natchez.  Upon 
the  fourth  of  October,  1813,  the  day  appointed,  the  troops 
promptly  repaired  to  the  place  of  rendezvous. 

Colonel  Coffee,  in  the  mean  time,  had  raised  five  hun 
dred  mounted  volunteers,  and  was  authorized  to  augment 
his  force  by  adding  to  it  the  volunteer  mounted  riflemen 
who  might  offer  their  services.  On  the  7th  of  October, 
General  Jackson  repaired  to  the  rendezvous  of  Fayetteville, 
and  with  his  corps  commenced  his  march  for  the  Creek 
Country.  Colonel  Coffee  proceeded  with  his  cavalry  and 
mounted  riflemen  towards  the  frontiers,  and  stationed  him 
self  near  Huntsville.  In  the  Creek  nation  were  many 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  47 

natives  in  amity  with  the  United  States.  From  them,  im 
portant  information  was  obtained,  and  essential  service 
wets  rendered  by  them  to  our  troops.  On  the  8th,  Colonel 
Coffee  informed  General  Jackson  by  express,  that  from 
information  derived  from  Indian  runners,  the  hostile  Creeks 
were  collecting  in  great  force  ;  and  intended  simultane 
ously  to  attack  the  frontiers  of  Georgia  and  Tennessee.  -. 

General  Jackson,  on  the  10th,  put  his  corps  in  motion, 
and  by  great  exertions  reached  Huntsville  the  same  day, 
a  distance  of  forty  miles.  Colonel  Coffee  had  reached 
the  Tennessee  river,  and  General  Jackson  overtook  him 
the  next  day,  and  united  with  his  regiment  upon  the  bank 
of  the  river.  -  He  then  dispatched  Colonel  Coffee  with  his 
mounted  corps  to  explore  the  Tombigbee  river,  while  he 
encamped  his  own  division  upon  the  Tennessee,  and  com 
menced  vigorous  operations  in  preparing  them  for  active 
service.  In  the  camp  of  General  Jackson  the  commissa 
ry  department  was  very  defective,  and  he  depended  upon 
various  contractors  for  casual  rather  than  regular  supplies 
of  provisions.  On  investigation,  an  alarming  deficiency 
was  found  to  exist.  Nothing  will  damp  a  soldier's  spirit 
like  a  discovery  of  this  nature.  Men  who  will  meet  death 
with  iron  nerve  amid  the  din  of  battle,  will  shrink  from  the 
approach  of  famine.  General  Jackson,  by  measures  the 
most  efficient,  and  by  entreaties  the  most  urgent,  endea 
vored  to  procure  a  supply.  Undaunted  himself,  he  set  an 
example  of  cheerfulness  before  his  followers,  and  for  a 
time  dispelled  their  apprehensions. 

At  this  critical  period,  information  was  received  that 
the  Creeks  were  embodied  near  the  Ten  Islands  on  the 
Coosa.  Collecting  what  provisions  could  be  obtained,  he 
commenced  his  march  upon  the  18th,  for  Thompson's 
Creek.  His  route  led  through  a  wild  and  mountainous 
region,  which  was  nearly  impervious  to  the  passage  of 
his  army.  He  arrived  there  on  the  22d,  and  remained 


48  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

until  certain  information  was  received  that  the  Creeks 
would  soon  commence  operations  upon  the  Coosa.  Colo 
nel  Dyer  had  been  previously  sent  with  a  detachment  to 
attack  the  village  of  Littafutchee,  on  a  branch  of  the 
Coosa.  He  took  the  place  with  a  trifling  loss  on  his  part, 
and  brought  back  with  him  twenty-nine  prisoners  of  the 
hostile  Creeks.  The  scouting  parties  now  began  to  bring 
in  prisoners,  and  cattle,  and  corn  taken  from  the  enemy. 
The  main  body  of  the  army  was  encamped  about  thirteen 
miles  from  Tallushatches,  where  the  Creeks  in  large  num 
bers  had  assembled  with  hostile  preparations,  and  had  ta 
ken  a  position  at  that  place,  situated  on  the  opposite  shore 
of  the  Coosa. 

General  Coffee  was  dispatched  early  in  November, 
with  nine  hundred  cavalry  and  mounted  riflemen,  to  at 
tack  the  Creeks  in  the  encampment.  He  forded  the  Coosa 
under  the  direction  of  an  Indian  guide,  and  advanced  on 
Tallushatches.  The  Creeks  were  aware  of  his  approach 
and  prepared  to  meet  it.  They  struck  the  war-drum, 
sung  the  war-song,  and  by  their  savage  war-whoops, 
gave  notice  that  they  were  prepared  for  battle.  Within  a 
short  distance  of  the  village,  they  charged  upon  our  troops 
with  a  boldness  seldom  displayed  by  Indians.  They  were 
repulsed,  and  after  the  most  obstinate  resistance,  in  which 
they  would  receive  no  quarters,  they  were  slain  almost  to 
a  man,  and  their  women  and  children  taken  prisoners. 
Nearly  two  hundred  of  their  warriors  fell  in  this  battle ; 
the  loss  of  the  Tennesseans,  five  killed  and  thirty  wounded. 
The  following  is  the  official  report  of  this  action : 

GEN.   JACKSON   TO   GOV.    BLOTJNT. 

Camp  at  Ten  Islands,  Nov.  4th,  1813. 
Governor  Blount, 

Sir — We  have  retaliated  for  the  destruction  of  Fort 
Minims.  On  the  2d  inst.,  I  detached  General  Coffee 
with  a  part  of  his  brigade  of  cavalry  and  mounted  rifle- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  49 

men,  to  destroy  Tallushatches,  where  a  considerable  force 
of  the  hostile  Creeks  were  concentrated.  The  general 
executed  this  in  style.  A  hundred  and  eighty-six  of 
the  enemy  were  found  dead  on  the  field,  and  eighty  taken 
prisoners,  forty  of  whom  have  been  brought  here.  In  the 
number  left,  there  is  a  sufficiency  but  slightly  wounded  to 
take  care  of  those  who  are  badly.  I  have  to  regret  that 
five  of  my  brave  fellows  have  been  killed,  and  about  thir 
ty  wounded  ;  some  badly,  but  none  I  hope  mortally.  Both 
officers  and  men  behaved  with  the  utmost  bravery  and 
deliberation.  Captains  Smith,  Bradley,  and  Winston,  are 
wounded,  all  slightly.  No  officer  is  killed.  So  soon  as 
General  Coffee  makes  his  report,  I  shall  enclose  it.  If 
we  had  a  sufficient  supply  of  provisions,  we  should  in  a 
very  short  time  accomplish  the  object  of  the  expedition. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  great  respect,  yours,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

The  following  is  General  Coffee's  report  of  the  battle 
of  Tallushatches,  alluded  to  in  the  letter  to  Governor 
Blount : 

BRIG.  GEN.  COFFEE  TO  MAJ.  GEN.  JACKSON. 

Camp  at  Ten  Islands,  Nov.  4^,  1813. 
Major  General  Jackson, 

Sir — I  had  the  honor  yesterday,  of  transmitting  you 
a  short  account  of  an  engagement  that  took  place  be 
tween  a  detachment  of  nine  hundred  men  from  my  bri 
gade,  with  the  enemy  at  Tallushatches  town  ;  the  particu 
lars  whereof  I  beg  leave  herein  to  recite  to  you.  Pursu 
ant  to  your  order  of  the  2d,  I  detailed  from  my  brigade 
of  cavalry  and  mounted  riflemen,  nine  hundred  men  and 
officers,  and  proceeded  directly  to  ;the  Tallushatches  towns, 
and  crossed  Coosa  river  at  the  Fish- Dam  ford,  three  or  four 
miles  above  this  place.  I  arrived  within  one  and  a  half 
miles  of  the  town,  distant  from  this  place  southeast  eight 
miles,  on  the  morning  of  the  3d,  at  which  place  I  divided 
5 


50  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

my  detachment  into  two  columns,  the  right  composed  of 
the  cavalry  commanded  by  Colonel  Allcorn,  to  cross  over 
a  large  creek  that  lay  between  us  and  the  towns  :  the  left 
'column  was  mounted  riflemen,  under  the  command  of  Co 
lonel  Cannon,  with  whom  I  marched  myself.  Colonel 
Allcorn  was  ordered  to  march  up  on  the  right,  and  encir 
cle  one  half  of  the  town,  and  at  the  same  time  the  left  would 
form  a  half  circle  on  the  left,  and  unite  the  head  of  the 
columns  in  front  of  the  town ;  all  of  which  was  perform 
ed  as  I  could  wish.  When  I  arrived  within  half  a  mile 
of  the  town,  the  drums  of  the  enemy  began  to  beat,  min 
gled  with  their  savage  yells,  preparing  for  action.  It  was 
after  sunrise  an  hour,  when  the  action  was  brought  on  by 
Captain  Hammond's  and  Lieutenant  Patterson's  companies, 
who  had  gone  on  with  the  circle  of  alignment  for  the  pur 
pose  of  drawing  out  the  enemy  from  their  buildings,  which 
had  the  most  happy  effect.  As  soon  as  Captain  Hammond 
exhibited  his  front  in  view  of  the  town,  which  stood  in  an 
open  woodland,  and  gave  a  few  scattering  shot,  the  enemy 
formed  and  made  a  violent  charge  on  him  ;  he  gave  way 
as  they  advanced,  until  they  met  our  right  column,  which 
gave  them  a  general  fire  and  then  charged ;  this  changed 
the  direction  of  charge  completely  ;  the  enemy  retreated 
firing,  until  they  got  around  and  in  their  buildings,  where 
they  made  all  the  resistance  that  an  overpowered  soldier 
could  do ;  they  fought  as  long  as  one  existed,  but  their 
destruction  was  very  soon  completed ;  our  men  rushed  up  to 
the  doors  of  the  houses,  and  in  a  few  minutes  killed  the  last 
warrior  of  them;  the  enemy  fought  with  savage  fury, 
and  met  death,  with  all  its  horrors,  without  shrinking  or 
complaining  :  not  one  asked  to  be  spared,  but  fought  as 
long  as  they  could  stand  or  sit.  In  consequence  of  their 
flying  to  their  houses,  and  mixing  with  their  families,  our 
men,  in  killing  the  males,  without  intention  killed  and 
wounded  a  few  of  the  squaws  and  children,  which  was 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  61 

regretted  by  every  officer  and  soldier  of  the  detachment, 
but  which  could  not  be  avoided. 

The  number  of  the  enemy  killed,  was  one  hundred  and 
eighty-six  that  were  counted,  and  a  number  of  others  kill 
ed  in  the  weeds  not  found.  I  think  the  calculation  a  rea 
sonable  one,  to  say  two  hundred  of  them  were  killed ;  and 
eighty-four  prisoners,  of  women  and  children,  were  taken  ; 
not  one  of  the  warriors  escaped  to  carry  the  news,  a  cir 
cumstance  unknown  heretofore.  We  lost  five  men  killed, 
and  forty-one  wounded,  none  mortally,  the  greater  part 
slightly,  a  number  with  arrows  ;  this  appears  to  form  a 
very  principal  part  of  the  enemy's  arms  for  warfare, 
every  man  having  a  bow  with  a  bundle  of  arrows,  which 
is  used  after  the  first  fire  with  the  gun,  until  a  leisure  time 
for  loading  offers.  It  is  with  pleasure  I  say  that  our  men 
acted  with  deliberation  and  firmness  ;  notwithstanding  our 
numbers  were  superior  to  those  of  the  enemy,  it  was  a  cir 
cumstance  to  us  unknown,  and  from  the  parade  of  the  enemy 
we  had  every  reason  to  suppose  them  our  equals  in  num 
ber  ;  but  there  appeared  no  visible  traces  of  alarm  in  any, 
but  on  the  contrary  all  appeared  cool  and  determined,  and 
no  doubt  when  they  face  a  foe  of  their  own,  or  superior 
number,  they  will  show  the  same  courage  as  on  this  oc 
casion. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  sir,  your 
obedient  servant,  JOHN  COFFEE, 

Brig-.  Gen.  of  Cavalry  and  Riflemen. 

Major  General  Jackson. 


52  BIOGRAPHY   OF 


CHAPTER  III. 

Tennessee  forces — Message  to  General  White — Fort 
ress  of  Talladega — Its  danger — General  Jackson 
advances  to  its  protection — General  White  refuses  to 
form  a  junction  with  him — General  Jackson  crosses 
the  Coos  a — Battle  of  Talladega — Official  report  of 
it — Consequences  of  General  White's  conduct — Gen. 
Floyd — Battle  of  Autoussee — Official  report  of  it — 
Difficulties  of  General  Jackson's  situation — Famine 
&nd  mutiny  among  his  troops — His  firmness — Arri 
val  of  supplies — Discontent  of  his  troops  continues — 
Governor  Blount — His  instructions — General  Jack 
son  dismisses  his  corps. — New  troops  raised — General 
Claiborne — His  victory  upon  the  Alabama. 

THE  Tennessee  forces,  at  the  commencement  of  the 
campaign  in  the  Creek  nation,  in  1813,  consisted  of  two- 
divisions  ;  one  of  West  Tennessee,  commanded  by  General 
Jackson — the  other  of  East  Tennessee,  commanded  by 
General  Cocke.  '  Major  General  Thomas  Pinckney,  of 
the  United  States'  army,  was  commander-in-chief  of  the 
military  district  in  which  these  troops  were  organized. 
The  decisive  victory  at  Tallushatches,  and  the  total  dis 
comfiture  of  the  savages  of  that  station,  induced  General 
Jackson  to  adopt  the  most  efficient  measures  for  prosecuting 
the  encouraging  success  the  army  had  there  met  with,  by 
more  important  operations.  To  accomplish  these,  he  sent 
an  express,  on  the  4th  of  November,  to  Brigadier  General 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  53 

White,  of  General  Gocke's  division,  who  was  only  twenty- 
five  miles  distant,  ordering  him,  with  the  troops  under  his 
command,  to  form  a  junction  with  him  at  Fort  Strother, 
which  he  had  established  as  a  depot.  His  object  in  form 
ing  this  junction,  was  to  augment  his  forces  to  such  an 
amount,  as  to  enable  him  to  proceed  with  confidence  in 
attacking  the  enemy,  and  leave  a  force  in  the  rear  sufficient 
to  protect  the  sick  and  guard  the  baggage.  Although  he 
had  twice  before  sent  similar  orders,  not  a  word  of  intelli 
gence  was  received  from  him.  He  delayed  until  the  7th 
inst.,  when  he  dispatched  another  express. 

On  the  same  day,  information  wras  received  by  General 
Jackson,  that  a  fortress  of  friendly  Indians  at  Talladega, 
thirty  miles  distant  from  Fort  Strother,  was  in  imminent 
danger  of  total  destruction  by  the  hostile  party,  who  had 
assembled  about  them  in  great  numbers.  They  had  es 
poused  the  cause  of  the  Americans  ;  and,  of  course,  had 
excited  the  vindictive  malice  and  savage  ferocity  of  their 
brethren.  The  runners,  dispatched  by  the  friendly  Creeks, 
urged  General  Jackson  to  relieve  them  from  their  perilous 
situation.  The  same  sentiment  that  induced  General 
Jackson  to  hazard  his  reputation  in  protecting  his  country 
men  at  Natchez,  led  him,  without  hesitation,  to  extend  his 
aid  to  those  natives,  who  had  adhered  to  our  inter 
ests  with  so  much  fidelity.  He  commenced  his  march  at 
twelve  o'clock  in  the  evening.  He  dispatched  another 
express  to  General  White  to  repair  that  night  to  Fort 
Strother,  and  protect  it  in  his  absence.  To  his  great  sur 
prise,  he  received  a  message  from  him,  that  he  had,  agree 
ably  to  his  order,  commenced  a  march  to  Fort  Strother,  but 
that  he  had  received  counter  orders  from  Gen.  Cocke,  to 
join  him  at  Chatuga  Creek  ;  and  that  he  should  obey  him ! 
It  would  be  difficult  to  conceive  a  more  embarrassing 
situation  than  that  in  which  General  Jackson  was  now 
placed ;  his  rear  unprotected  and  exposed  to  the  ravages 
5* 


54  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

of  the  enemy — in  his  front  the  war-shout  had  sounded,  and 
a  reaction  of  the  bloody  tragedy  of  fort  Mimms  was  impend 
ing  over  the  defenceless  inhabitants  of  Talladega.  Not  a 
moment  was  to  be  lost ;  his  decision  was  instantly  taken, 
and  he  urged  on  his  troops  to  their  defence  with  his  wonted 
energy.  They  crossed  the  river  that  very  night,  each 
horseman  carrying  a  foot  soldier  behind  him,  though  the 
Coosa  is  here  six  hundred  yards  wide.  The  whole  night 
was  consumed  in  this  operation ;  yet  the  army  continued 
to  march  with  unabated  ardor,  and  by  the  next  evening 
arrived  within  six  miles  of  the  enemy.  The  following  is 
the  result  of  the  battle,  as  officially  reported  : 

GEN.  JACKSON    TO   GOV.  BLOUNT. 

Camp  Strother,  near  Ten  Islands  of  Coosa, 
November  Ilth,  1813. 

Sir — I  am  just  returned  from  an  excursion  wrhich  I  took 
a  few  days  ago,  and  hasten  to  acquaint  you  with  the  result. 

Late  on  the  evening  of  the  7th  inst.  a  rumor  arrived  from 
the  friendly  party  at  Lashley's  fort,  (Talladega,)  distant 
about  thirty  miles  below  us,  with  the  information  that  the 
hostile  Creeks,  in  great  force,  had  encamped  near  the 
place,  and  were  preparing  to  destroy  it ;  and  earnestly 
entreated  that  I  would  lose  no  time  in  affording  them  relief. 
Urged  by  their  situation,  as  well  as  by  a  wish  to  meet  the 
enemy  as  soon  as  an  opportunity  would  offer,  I  determined 
upon  commencing  my  march  thither,  with  all  my  disposa 
ble  force,  in  the  course  of  the  night ;  and  immediately 
dispatched  an  express  to  General  White,  advising  him  of 
my  intended  movement,  and  urged  him  to  hasten  to  this 
encampment  by  a  forced  march,  in  order  to  protect  it  in  my 
absence.  I  had  repeatedly  written  to  the  general  to  form 
a  junction  with  me  as  speedily  as  practicable,  and  a  few 
days  before  had  received  his  assurance,  that  on  the  7th  he 
would  join  me.  I  commenced  crossing  the  river  at  Ten 
Islands,  leaving  behind  me  my  baggage-wagons,  and  what- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  55 

ever  might  retard  my  progress,  and  encamped  that  night 
within  six  miles  of  the  fort  I  had  set  out  to  relieve.  At 
midnight,  I  had  received  by  an  Indian  runner,  a  letter  from 
General  White,  informing  me  that  he  had  received  my 
order,  but  that  he  had  altered  his  course,  and  was  on  his 
march  backward  to  join  Major  General  Cocke,  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Chatuga.  I  will  not  now  remark  upon  the 
strangeness  of  this  manoeuvre  ;  but  it  was  now  too  late  to 
change  my  plan,  or  make  any  new  arrangements ;  and, 
between  three  and  four  o'clock,  I  recommenced  my  march 
to  meet  the  enemy,  who  were  encamped  within  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  of  the  fort.  At  sunrise  \ve  came  within  half  a 
mile  of  them,  and  having  formed  my  men,  I  moved  in 
order  of  battle.  The  infantry  were  in  three  lines — the 
militia  on  the  left,  and  the  volunteers  on  the  right.  The 
cavalry  formed  the  two  extreme  wings,  and  were  ordered 
to  advance  in  a  curve,  keeping  their  rear  connected  with 
the  advance  of  their  infantry  lines,  and  enclose  the  enemy 
in  a  circle.  The  advanced  guard,  whom  I  sent  forward 
to  bring  on  the  engagement,  met  the  attack  of  the  enemy 
with  great  intrepidity  ;  and,  having  poured  upon  them  four 
or  five  very  galling  rounds,  fell  back,  as  they  had  been 
previously  ordered,  to  the  army.  The  enemy  pursued, 
and  the  front  line  was  now  ordered  to  advance  and  meet 
him ;  but,  owing  to  some  misunderstanding,  a  few  com 
panies  of  militia,  who  composed  a  part  of  it,  commenced 
a  retreat.  At  this  moment,  a  corps  of  cavalry,  com 
manded  by  Lieut.  Colonel  Dyer,  which  I  had  kept  as  a 
reserve,  was  ordered  to  dismount  and  fill  up  the  vacancy 
occasioned  by  the  retreat.  This  order  was  executed  writh 
a  great  deal  of  promptitude  and  effect.  The  militia,  see 
ing  this,  speedily  rallied ;  and  the  fire  became  general 
along  the  front  line,  and  on  that  part  of  the  wings  which 
was  contiguous.  The  enemy,  unable  to  stand  it,  began 
to  retreat ;  but  were  met  at  every  turn,  and  repulsed  in 


66  BIOGRAPHY    OP 

every  direction.  The  right  wing  chased  them,  with  a 
most  destructive  fire,  to  the  mountains,  a  distance  of  about 
three  miles  ;  and,  had  I  not  been  compelled,  by  the  faux 
pas  of  the  militia,  in  the  outset  of  the  battle,  to  dismouut 
my  reserve,  I  believe  not  a  man  of  them  would  have 
escaped.  The  victory  was,  however,  very  decisive  :  two 
hundred  and  ninety  of  the  enemy  were  left  dead;  and 
there  can  be  no  doubt  but  many  more  were  killed  who  were 
not  found.  Wherever  they  ran,  they  left  behind  traces  of 
blood  ;  and  it  is  believed  that  very  few  will  return  to  their 
villages  in  as  sound  a  condition  as  they  left  them.  I  was 
compelled  to  return  to  this  place  to  protect  the  sick  and 
wounded,  and  get  my  baggage  on. 

In  the  engagement,  we  lost  fifteen  killed,  and  eighty-five 
wounded  ;  two  of  whom  have  since  died.  All  the  officers 
acted  with  the  utmost  bravery,  and  so  did  all  the  privates,  ex 
cept  that  part  of  the  militia  who  retreated  at  the  commence 
ment  of  the  battle — and  they  hastened  to  atone  for  their 
error.  Taking  the  whole  together,  they  have  realized  the 
high  expectations  I  had  formed  of  them,  and  have  fairly 
entitled  themselves  to  the  gratitude  of  their  country. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 
His  Excellency  Willie  Blount,  Nashville. 

The  following  completes  the  account  of  the  battle  of 
Talladega : 

Camp  Strother,  near  Ten  Islands, 
I5th  November,  1813. 

You  will  perceive,  from  the  draft  which  I  shall  send 
you,  that,  had  there  been  no  departure  from  the  original 
order  of  battle,  not  an  Indian  could  have  escaped ;  and, 
even  as  the  battle  did  terminate,  I  believe  that  no  impartial 
man  can  say  that  a  more  splendid  victory  has  in  any 
instance  attended  our  arms,  on  land,  since  the  commence 
ment  of  the  war.  The  force  of  the  enemy  is  represented 
by  themselves  to  have  been  ten  hundred  and  eighty ;  and  it 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  57 

does  not  appear  from  their  fire  and  the  space  of  ground 
which  they  occupied,  that  their  number  can  have  been 
less.  Two  hundred  and  ninety-nine  were  left  dead  on  the 
ground  ;  and  no  doubt  many  more  were  killed  who  were 
not  found.  In  a  very  few  weeks,  if  I  had  a  sufficiency  of 
supplies,  I  am  thoroughly  convinced,  I  should  be  able  to 
put  an  end  to  the  Creek  hostilities. 

Too  much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed  upon  the  advance, 
led  on  by  Col.  Carrol,  for  the  spirited  manner  in  which 
they  commenced  and  sustained  the  attack ;  nor  upon  the 
reserve,  commanded  by  Lieut.  Colonel  Dyer,  and  com 
posed  of  Captains  Smith's,  Morton's,  Axurn's,  Edwards', 
and  Hammond's  companies,  for  the  gallantry  with  which 
they  met  and  repulsed  the  enemy.  In  a  word,  officers  of 
every  grade,  as  well  as  the  privates,  realized  the  high 
expectations  I  had  formed  of  them,  and  merit  the  gratitude 
of  their  country. 

I  should  be  doing  injustice  to  my  staff,  composed  of 
Majors  Reid  and  Scarcy ;  my  aids,  Col.  Sitler,  and 
Major  Anthony,  adjutant,  and  assistant  adjutant  general ; 
Colonel  Carrol,  inspector  general ;  Major  Strother,  topo 
grapher  ;  Mr.  Cunningham,  my  secretary ;  and  Colonel 
Stokey  D.  Haynes,  quarter  master  general ;  not  to  say  that 
they  were  every  where  in  the  midst  of  danger,  circulating 
my  orders.  They  deserve  and  receive  my  thanks. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

General  Jackson's  plan  of  operation  was  very  much 
frustrated  by  the  refusal  of  General  White  to  form  a 
junction  with  him,  or  to  repair  to  the  protection  of  Fort 
Strother,  in  his  absence ;  and  compelled  him  to  relinquish 
his  intention  of  immediately  extending  the  war  into  the 
Indian  territories,  and  bringing  our  contest  with  the 
Creeks  to  a  speedy  conclusion.  It  protracted  hostilities 
with  a  people  who  prosecute  their  quarrels  with  the  most 


68  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

0p 

unrelenting  and  bloody  barbarity,  and  who,  of  all  others, 
should  be  promptly  taught  to  respect  our  rights. 

It  has  been  previously  stated,  that  the  Creeks  had  de 
termined  to  attack  the  frontiers  of  Georgia  and  Tennessee, 
simultaneously.  Measures,  equally  efficient  with  those 
adopted  by  the  executive,  and  legislature  of  Tennessee, 
were  adopted  by  the  executive  and  legislature  of  Georgia. 
His  Excellency,  Peter  Earley,  governor  of  that  state, 
upon  the  8th  November,  1813,  communicated  to  the  Sen 
ate  and  House  of  Representatives,  the  information  he  had 
received  of  savage  depredations  and  murders  upon  the 
frontiers.  The  legislature  promptly  authorized  the  go 
vernor  to  cause  the  frontiers  to  be  put  in  a  state  of  defence, 
and  to  send  a  competent  force  into  the  heart  of  the  Creek 
country.  As  the  forces  of  Georgia  acted  in  concert  with 
those  of  Tennessee  under  the  command  of  General  Jack 
son,  a  brief  detail  of  them  may  not  be  deemed  uninterest 
ing.  The  Georgia  militia  were  commanded  by  Brigadier 
General  Floyd.  He  met  the  enemy  at  Autoussee,  upon 
the  banks  of  the  Tallapoosa  river,  and  gave  them  battle, 
and  the  following  is  his  description  of  it : 

"  Having  received  information  that  numbers  of  the 
hostile  Indians  were  assembled  at  Autoussee,  a  town  on 
the  southern  bank  of  the  Tallapoosa,  ?ibout  eighteen  miles 
from  the  Hickory  Ground,  and  twenty  above  the  junction 
of  that  river  with  the  Coosa,  I  proceeded  to  its  attack, 
with  nine  hundred  and  fifty  of  the  Georgia  militia, 
accompanied  by  between  three  and  four  hundred  friendly 
Indians.  Having  encamped  within  nine  or  ten  miles  of 
the  point  of  destination  the  preceding  evening,  we  re 
sumed  the  march  a  few  minutes  before  one  on  the  morning 
of  the  twenty-ninth,  and,  at  half  past  six  were  formed  for 
action  in  front  of  the  town. 

Booth's  battalion  composed  the  right  column,  and 
inarched  from  its  centre ;  Watson's  battalion  composed 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  59 

the  left,  and  marched  from  its  right ;  Adams'  rifle  com 
pany,  and  Merriwether's,  under  Lieutenant  Hendon,  were 
on  the  flanks ;  Captain  Thomas'  artillery  marched  in 
front  of  the  right  column  on  the  road. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  completely  surrounded  the 
enemy,  by  deploying  the  right  wing  of  my  force  on  Can- 
leebee  creek,  at  the  mouth  of  which,  I  was  informed,  the 
town  stood,  and  resting  the  left  on  the  river  bank,  below 
the  town ;  but,  to  our  surprise,  as  the  day  dawned,  we 
perceived  a  second  town  about  five  hundred  yards  below 
that  which  we  had  first  viewed,  and  were  preparing  to 
attack.  The  plan  was  immediately  changed  ;  three  com 
panies  of  infantry,  on  the  left,  where  wheeled  into  echelon, 
and  advanced  to  the  low  town,  accompanied  by  Merri 
wether's  rifle  company  ;  and  two  troops  of  light  dragoons, 
under  the  command  of  Captains  Irwin  and  Steele. 

The  residue  of  the  force  approached  the  upper  town, 
and  the  battle  soon  became  general.  The  Indians  pre 
sented  themselves  at  every  point,  and  fought  with  the 
desperate  bravery  of  real  fanatics.  The  well  directed 
fire,  however,  of  the  artillery,  added  to  the  charge  of  the 
bayonet,  soon  forced  them  to  take  refuge  in  the  outhouses, 
thickets,  and  copses,  in  rear  of  the  town ;  many,  it  is 
believed,  concealed  themselves  in  caves,  previously  formed 
for  the  purpose  of  secure  retreat,  in  the  high  bluff  of  the 
river,  which  was  thickly  covered  with  reeds  and  brush 
wood.  The  Indians  of  the  friendly  party,  who  accom 
panied  us  on  the  expedition,  were  divided  into  four  com 
panies,  and  placed  under  the  command  of  leaders  of  their 
selection.  They  were,  by  arrangement  entered  into  the 
day  previous,  to  have  crossed  the  river  above  the  town, 
and  been  posted  on  the  opposite  shore,  during  the  action, 
for  the  purpose  of  firing  on  such  of  the  enemy  as  might 
attempt  to  escape,  or  keep  in  check  any  reinforcement 
which  might  probably  be  thrown  in  from  the  neighboring 


60  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

town  ;  but,  owing  to  the  difficulty  of  the  ford,  and  coldness 
of  the  weather,  and  the  lateness  of  the  hour,  this  arrange 
ment  failed,  and  their  leaders  were  directed  to  cross  Can- 
lubee  creek,  and  occupy  that  flank,  to  prevent  escapes  from 
the  Tallassee  town.  Some  time  after  the  action  com 
menced,  our  red  friends  thronged  in  disorder  in  the  rear 
of  our  lines.  The  Cowetams,  under  M'Intosh,  and  the 
Lookaubatchians,  under  the  Mad  Dog's  Son,  fell  in  on 
our  flanks,  and  fought  with  an  intrepidity  worthy  of  any 
troops. 

At  nine  o'clock,  the  enemy  was  completely  driven  from 
the  plain,  and  the  houses  of  both  towns  wrapped  in  flames. 
As  we  were  then  sixty  miles  from  any  depot  of  provisions, 
and  our  five  days'  rations  pretty  much  reduced,  in  the 
heart  of  an  enemy's  country,  which,  in  a  few  moments, 
could  have  poured  from  its  numerous  towns,  hosts  of  its 
fiercest  warriors — as  soon  as  the  dead  and  wounded  were 
properly  disposed  of,  I  ordered  the  place  to  be  abandoned, 
and  the  troops  to  commence  their  march  to  Chatahauchie. 

It  is  difficult  to  determine  the  strength  of  the  enemy, 
but  from  the  information  of  the  chiefs,  which  it  is  said  can 
be  relied  upon,  that  at  Autoussee,  warriors  from  eight 
towns  were  assembled  for  its  defence,  it  being  their  be 
loved  ground,  on  which  they  proclaimed  no  white  man 
could  approach  without  inevitable  destruction.  It  is  dif 
ficult  to  give  a  precise  account  of  the  loss  of  the  enemy  ; 
but  from  the  number  which  were  lying  scattered  over  the 
field,  together  with  those  destroyed  in  the  towns,  and 
many  slain  on  the  bank  of  the  river,  which  respectable 
officers  affirm  they  saw  lying  in  heaps  at  the  water's 
edge,  where  they  had  been  precipitated  by  their  surviv 
ing  friends.  Their  loss  in  killed,  independent  of  their 
wounded,  must  have  been  at  least  two  hundred,  among 
whom  were  the  Autoussee  and  Talassee  kings;  and 
from  the  circumstance  of  their  making  no  efforts  to  molest 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  61 

our  return,  probably  greater.  The  number  of  buildings 
burnt,  some  of  a  superior  order  for  the  dwellings  of 
savages,  and  filled  with  valuable  articles,  is  supposed  to 
be  four  hundred. 

Adjutant  General  Newman  rendered  important  ser 
vices  during  the  action,  by  his  cool  and  deliberate  cou 
rage.  My  aid,  Major  Crawford,  discharged  with  promp 
titude  the  duties  of  a  brave  and  meritorious  officer. 
Major  Pace,  who  acted  as  field  aid,  also  distinguished 
himself;  both  these  gentlemen  had  their  horses  shot 
under  them.  Doctor  Williamson,  hospital  surgeon,  and 
Doctor  Clopton,  were  prompt  and  attentive  in  the  dis 
charge  of  their  duty  towards  the  wounded,  during  the 
action. 

Major  Freeman,  at  the  head  of  Gwin's  troop  of  caval 
ry,  and  part  of  Steele's,  made  a  furious  and  successful 
charge  upon  a  body  of  Indians,  sabred  several,  and  com 
pletely  defeated  them.  Captain  Thomas  and  his  compa 
ny,  Captain  Adams'  and  Lieutenant  Hendon's  rifle  com 
panies,  killed  a  great  many  Indians,  and  deserve  particu 
lar  praise  :  Captain  Barton's  company  was  in  the  hottest 
cf  the  battle,  and  fought  like  soldiers.  Captains  Myric, 
Little,  King,  Broadnax,  Cleveland,  Joseph  T.  Cunning 
ham,  and  Lee,  with  their  companies,  distinguished  them 
selves.  Brigadier  General  Shackleford  was  of  great  ser 
vice  in  bringing  the  troops  into  action  ;  and  Adjutant 
Broadnax,  and  Major  Montgomery,  who  acted  as  assistant 
adjutant,  showed  great  activity  and  courage.  Major 
Booth  used  his  best  endeavors  in  bringing  his  battalion 
to  action,  and  Major  Watson's  battalion  acted  with  con 
siderable  spirit.  Gwin's,  Patterson's,  and  Steele's  troops 
of  cavalry,  wherever  an  opportunity  presented,  charged 
with  spirit.  Lieutenent  Strong  had  his  horse  shot,  and 
narrowly  escaped,  and  Quartermaster  Fennell  displayed 
the  greatest  heroism,  and  miraculously  escaped,  though 
6 


62  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

badly  wounded,  after  having  his  horse  shot  from  under 
him.  The  topographical  engineer  was  vigilant  in  his 
endeavours  to  render  service.  The  troops  deserve  the 
highest  praise  for  their  fortitude  in  enduring  hunger,  cold, 
and  fatigue,  without  a  murmur,  having  marched  one  hun 
dred  and  twenty  miles  in  seven  days. 

The  friendly  Indians  lost  several  killed  and  wounded, 
the  number  not  exactly  known." 

This  was  an  important  victory  ;  two  kings,  and  two 
hundred  warriors  fell — a  much  larger  number  were 
wounded — their  villages  were  depopulated — their  houses 
demolished,  and  the  fanatic  spell,  which  urged  them  on 
to  deeds  of  bloody  daring,  was  broken  ;  and  on  "  their 
beloved  ground,  on  which  they  proclaimed  no  white  man 
could  approach  without  inevitable  destruction,"  they  saw 
their  warriors  fall  before  the  prowess  of  our  arms,  and 
their  dwellings  wrapped  in  conflagration. 

While  these  interesting  events  were  transpiring,  Ge 
neral  Jackson  was  encountering  great  difficulties  in  con 
sequence  of  famine  and  mutiny  among  his  corps  at  Fort 
Strother.  After  the  battle  of  Talladega,  as  has  been  be 
fore  stated,  the  defenceless  condition  of  his  rear  compelled 
him  to  fall  back  on  that  fortress.  Here  his  troops  were 
compelled  to  submit  to  all  the  horrors  of  starvation. 
Their  whole  stock  of  provisions  consisted  only  of  a  few 
cattle  taken  from  the  enemy,  or  purchased  from  the  Che- 
rokees.  In  these  circumstances,  General  Jackson  made 
every  exertion  to  alleviate  the  distresses  of  his  soldiers. 
He  covered  his  table  with  offals  and  acorns  from  the  fo 
rest,  and  partook  of  no  better  fare  than  the  most  humble 
of  his  corps.  Great  discontent,  however,  was  produced 
among  his  troops  by  the  privations  and  hardships  of  their 
situation,  which  at  length  broke  out  in  open  mutiny. 
They  were  clamorous  to  break  up  the  campaign,  and  re 
turn  home  ;  to  effect  this  they  were  even  encouraged  by 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  63 

many  of  the  subordinate  officers.  General  Jackson  saw 
the  vast  importance  of  maintaining  his  post  and  army 
entire  till  supplies  should  arrive.  He  knew  that  the 
hopes  of  the  borderers  of  Georgia  and  Tennessee  rested 
upon  him  ;  he  knew  that  they  had  watched  his  operations 
with  intense  anxiety,  and  hailed  his  triumphant  victories 
with  the  most  heartfelt  gratitude  and  delight ;  he  knew 
that  if  the  campaign  were  to  end  here,  that  all  his  former 
successes  would  be  rendered  worse  than  useless,  and  in-' 
stead  of  guarantying  security  to  the  frontiers,  would  on 
ly  serve  to  whet  the  savage  vengeance  of  the  enemy,  and 
impel  them  to  the  perpetration  of  more  revolting  scenes 
of  havock  and  bloodshed. 

Impelled  by  these  momentous  considerations,  General 
Jackson  resorted  to  every  persuasive  expedient  to  allay 
the  discontent  of  his  troops.  He  reminded  them  of  the 
past — the  unshaken  fortitude  they  had  displayed  in  their 
hazardous  expedition  to  Natchez — the  daring  courage 
they  had  manifested  upon  the  plains  of  Tallushatches  and 
Talladega — the  exposure  of  their  families  and  kindred 
to  the  horrors  of  savage  butchery.  But  all  his  efforts 
were  unavailing.  Could  he  have  said  to  them,  Yonder  is 
you  enemy  ;  charge,  and  by  one  decisive  victory  put  an 
end  to  this  contest ;  every  soldier  would  have  followed 
his  commander  to  battle,  and  yielded  the  best  blood  of  his 
heart,  rather  than  behold  the  proud  banner  of  his  country 
dishonored.  But  to  sit  down  and  patiently  wait  for  the 
arrival  of  uncertain  supplies,  with  the  prospect  of  starva 
tion  before  them,  was  not  so  congenial  with  the  ardent  tem 
peraments  of  the  brave  Tennesseans.  Every  pacific  ex 
pedient  on  the  part  of  General  Jackson  having  been  ex 
hausted,  he  was  at  length  compelled  to  resort  to  force. 
When,  therefore,  the  militia  revolted  openly,  and  were 
about  to  abandon  the  camp,  he  drew  up  the  volunteers 
under  arms,  with  orders  to  prevent  their  departure.  This 


64  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

display  of  resolution  overawed  the  militia,  and  they  re 
turned  to  their  tents. 

The  volunteers,  however,  were  themselves  disaffected, 
and  soon  prepared  to  follow  the  example,  which,  a  short 
time  previous,  they  had  been  instrumental  in  preventing 
the  militia  from  executing.  But  the  general  had  antici 
pated  their  measures,  and  prepared  to  counteract  them. 
As  they  were  about  to  leave  the  camp,  the  militia  opposed 
them,  and  expressed  their  determination  of  enforcing  their 
stay,  if  necessary,  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  This 
movement  produced  the  same  effect  upon  the  volunteers,  as 
theirs  of  a  similar  nature  had  before  done  upon  the  militia, 
and  like  them,  they  returned  again  to  their  tents.  The 
cavalry,  however,  were  in  a  condition  which  silenced 
every  objection  to  their  departure ;  their  forage  was  en 
tirely  exhausted,  and  they  had  no  prospect  of  obtaining 
more.  General  Jackson  therefore  permitted  them  to  re 
turn  home,  on  condition  they  would  rejoin  him  if  neces 
sity  required. 

-  Mutiny,  however,  continued  to  exist  in  the  minds  of 
his  troops,  notwithstanding  all  his  endeavours  to  suppress 
it.  He  promised  that  if  supplies  did  not  arrive  in  t\vo 
days,  he  would  abandon  his  position,  and  march  his  army 
to  the  settlements.  But  nothing  would  satisfy  the  volun 
teers.  And  he  was  compelled  to  allow  one  regiment  to 
depart,  with  a  stipulation  to  return  after  they  should  have 
satisfied  their  most  pressing  wants.  The  militia  display 
ed  more  firmness,  and  waited  till  the  two  stipulated  days 
had  elapsed,  but  the  supplies  did  not  arrive.  They  re 
quired  of  the  general  a  redemption  of  his  pledge,  and  he 
could  not  refuse.  In  the  bitterness  of  his  mortification, 
he  exclaimed  that  if  but  two  men  would  abide  with  him, 
he  would  never  abandon  the  fort.  Captain  Gordon  and 
one  hundred  more  immediately  proposed  to  remain  and 
protect  the  position.  Leaving  this  garrison  behind,  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  65 

army  prepared  for  its  march  homeward.  Scarcely  had 
the  troops  left  Fort  Strother,  when  they  were  met  by  a 
convoy  of  the  long  expected  commissaries'  stores.  This 
was  rather  an  unwelcome  sight  to  the  troops,  whose 
minds  were  fixed  upon  home.  After  some  resistance, 
which  was  overcome  by  a  most  signal  display  of  firmness 
and  energy  by  General  Jackson,  they  returned  to  Fort 
Strother. 

That  the  reader  may  have  a  clearer  idea  of  the  diffi 
culties  of  General  Jackson's  situation,  and  the  courage 
requisite  to  surmount  them,  we  present  an  extract  from  a 
letter  written  by  a  gentleman  who  was  an  actor  in  the 
scenes  he  describes. 

**  Since  the  battle  of  Tallushatches  and  Talladega,  the 
army  of  General  Jackson  has  crumbled  to  pieces.  The 
whole  of  his  volunteer  infantry  are  returning  home — in 
sisting  that  their  time  of  service  expired  on  the  10th  of 
this  month,  being  the  anniversary  of  their  rendezvous  at 
Nashville.  The  General,  however,  did  not  discharge 
them ;  the  decision  is  left  with  the  governor  of  Tennes 
see.  What  he  will  do,  is  not  yet  known.  The  universal 
impression,  however,  is,  that  they  will  be  discharged. 
Yet  nothing  is  more  clear  than  that  they  have  not  served 
twelve  months — and  they  were,  by  law,  to  serve  twelve 
months  in  a  period  of  two  years,  unless  sooner  discharged. 
The  General's  force  now  at  fort  Strother,  Ten  Islands  of 
Coosa,  may  amount  to  about  fifteen  hundred  men,  chiefly 
drafted  militia.  Of  these,  nearly  the  whole  will  be  en 
titled  to  discharge  about  the  fourth  of  the  ensuing  month. 
It  is  supposed  that  not  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty, 
or  two  hundred,  who  are  attached  to  the  General  person 
ally,  and  will  remain  through  motives  of  affection,  will 
be  left  with  him  after  that  day.  Doubtless  you  know 
that  the  brigade  of  cavalry  volunteers  and  mounted  rifle 
men  under  the  command  of  General  Coffee,  were  some 
6* 


66  BIOGRAPHY    Otf 

time  since  ordered  into  the  settlements  to  recruit  their 
horses  for  a  few  days,  and  procure  new  ones.  About 
half,  perhaps  eight  hundred,  appeared  at  the  day  and  place 
of  rendezvous ;  but  of  these  not  more  than  six  hundred 
would  consent  to  go  on  after  the  10th.  About  half  of  this 
last  number  were  of  the  old  volunteer  cavalry,  the  rest 
mounted  men  newly  raised.  The  first  will  certainly  re 
turn  with  the  volunteer  infantry,  their  term  commencing 
and  expiring  together.  The  last  claim  a  discharge  at  the 
expiration  of  three  months  from  the  clay  they  were  mus 
tered  into  service  ;  which  must  be  nearly  out.  We  may 
say,  then,  that  all  these  are  gone  too.  Yet  General  Jack 
son  has  very  recently  received  an  order  from  General 
Pinckney,  to  garrison  and  maintain  every  inch  of  ground 
he  gains.  And  although  all  active  exertions  of  the  cam 
paign  seem  to  be  paralised,  I  still  hope  this  may,  and  will 
be  done.  General  Cocke  is  now  in  East  Tennessee,  en 
deavoring  to  collect  a  new  levy  ;  as  to  his  success  we 
know  nothing.  General  Roberts,  from  West  Tennessee, 
passed  through  our  country  three  days  ago,  and  has  just 
crossed  the  river  with  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  men 
Colonel  Carroll,  inspector-general  of  this  army,  arrived 
io-day  with  a  force  of  five  or  six  hundred,  and  four  com 
panies  are  proposed  to  be  sent  from  this  county.  How 
long  these  men  are  to  serve,  I  know  not — not  longer,  I 
fancy,  than  three  months.  I  trust,  however,  that  this  sys 
tem  of  short  service,  wretched  as  it  is  inefficient,  and  ex 
pensive  above  all  others,  will  yet  enable  Jackson  to  occu 
py  till  spring  the  ground  he  has  won.  Perhaps  the  re 
turn  of  moderate  weather,  and  great  efforts  meanwhile, 
may  collect  around  his  banner,  an  army  sufficient  to  effect 
the  complete  discomfiture  and  prostration  of  the  Creek 
power.  This,  however,  will  be  every  day  a  work  of 
greater  difficulty.  The  English  have  already  appeared 
in  force  at  Pensacola,  seven  sail  having  troops  on  board, 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  67 

besides  two  bomb  vessels.  Orleans  will  be  menaced. 
Mobile  is  considered  in  great  danger.  The  force  on  the 
Tombigbee  waters,  and  the  3d  regiment  ascending  the 
Alabama,  will  be  called  to  its  defence.  This  gives  the 
Creeks  breathing  time,  and  lessens  the  force  destined  to 
crush  them.  Augustine,  too,  will  doubtless  be  occupied 
by  British  troops  ;  and  from  these  points,  arms,  ammuni 
tion,  and  perhaps  men  and  leaders,  will  be  pushed  up  to 
the  aid  of  the  Upper  and  Middle  Creeks.  The  Seminoles 
and  the  runaway  negroes  among  them,  may  be  turned 
loose  upon  the  sea-coast  of  Georgia." 

The  discontent  of  the  troops  was  but  little  abated  after 
their  return  to  Fort  Strother.  The  arrival  of  a  sufficient 
supply  of  stores,  obviated  the  necessity  for  food ;  yet  the 
minds  of  the  soldiers  having  been  once  fixed  upon  the 
prospect  of  quitting  the  toils  and  privations  of  military 
life,  could  not  easily  be  brought  to  relinquish  the  favorite 
idea  of  returning  to  their  homes.  The  troops  remon 
strated  against  their  detention,  whilst  the  general  resorted 
to  every  expedient  to  induce  them  to  remain.  He  ad 
dressed  a  letter  to  the  governor  of  Tennessee  for  instruc 
lions ;  and  in  his  reply  the  governor,  in  consequence  01 
the  disaffection  of  the  troops,  and  the  reluctance  they 
manifested  at  remaining,  wras  induced  to  recommend  an 
abandonment  of  the  expedition.  General  Jackson  no 
longer  attempted  to  detain  his  men,  but  dismissed  the 
discontented.  A  few  only  of  his  original  army,  "  good 
men  and  true,"  remained  behind  with  their  general,  to 
prosecute  the  war  which  had  been  so  gloriously  com 
menced. 

The  governor  of  Tennessee  was  soon  aware  of  the 
error  into  which  he  had  been  led,  by  recommending  an 
abandonment  of  the  expedition,  and  affected  by  the  expos 
tulations  of  General  Jackson,  and  the  difficulties  which 
surrounded  him,  he  set  himself  vigorously  to  work  in 


68  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

applying  a  remedy.  He  ordered  a  levy  of  twenty-five 
hundred  men  from  the  second  division,  to  assemble  at 
Fayetteville  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  January,  to  serve  for 
a  period  of  three  months.  Brighter  prospects  nowhegan 
to  dawn  upon  General  Jackson,  and  after  encountering 
the  most  appalling  difficulties  with  an  energy  and  decision, 
which  compelled  even  his  enemies  to  acknowledge,  "  that 
he  made  the  most  extraordinary  efforts,  and  that  it  is  no 
more  than  charitable  to  believe  that  he  was  actuated  by 
the  love  of  his  country,  while  acting  in  opposition  to  her 
laws.11 

The  forces  under  the  command  of  General  Claiborne, 
General  Floyd,  and  General  Jackson,  acted  in  concert  in 
the  prosecution  of  the  Creek  war.  The  latter  was  con 
stantly  advised  of  the  movements  of  the  former,  and  al 
ways  exerting  himself  to  render  them  assistance.  About 
the  first  of  January,  1814,  he  received  the  cheering  intel 
ligence  that  General  Claiborne  had  achieved  an  impor 
tant  victory  upon  the  Alabama,  more  than  one  hundred 
miles  from  Fort  Strother,  his  head-quarters.  The  battle 
was  fought  at  Eccanachaca,  the  residence  of  the  prophets 
Wetherford,  Francis,  and  Sinquister.  It  was  built  since 
the  commencement  of  hostilities,  as  a  place  of  security 
for  the  natives,  and  as  a  depot  for  provisions.  Like  Au- 
toussee,  it  was  deemed,  by  the  superstitious  natives,  the 
grave  of  white  men.  On  the  23d  December,  it  was  at 
tacked  ;  between  thirty  or  forty  warriors  were  slain  ;  the 
whole  town  of  two  hundred  houses  destroyed,  and  a  large 
quantity  of  provisions  taken.  The  town  being  surround 
ed  by  swamps  and  deep  ravines,  facilitated  the  escape  of 
the  savages  from  the  pursuit  of  the  Americans.  The 
next  day,  a  town  of  sixty  houses,  about  eight  miles  above 
the  holy  ground,  wras  destroyed,  together  with  several 
distinguished  chiefs,  and  all  the  boats  belonging  to  the 
savages  of  that  station. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  69 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Newly  raised  troops — They  arrive  at  Fort  Str  other — 
Join  the  forces  of  Gen.  Jackson — He  marches  them 
to  Talladega — The  enemy  at  Emuckfaw  river — Gen. 
Jackson  advances  upon  them — Attacks  them — His 
official  report  of  the  battle — Important  results  of  his 
victory — Operations  of  the  Georgia  forces — General 
Floyd's  victory — The  Creeks  fortify  themselves  at 
the  Horse-Shoe — Gen.  Jackson  attacks  them — De 
feats  them — His  account  of  the  battle — He  is  cen 
sured  for  his  severity  to  the  Creeks — Causes  which 
justified  his  treatment  of  them — His  vindication. 

THE  newly  raised  Tennessee  volunteers  arrived  at 
Fort  Strother,  and  joined  the  forces  of  Gen.  Jackson 
about  the  middle  of  January,  1814,  and  soon  after  their 
organization,  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  Talladega. 
The  whole  force  led  on  by  Gen.  Jackson,  consisted  of  the 
volunteers,  two  mounted  regiments,  an  artilfery  company, 
three  companies  of  foot,  and  a  company  of  volunteer 
officers,  nine  hundred  and  thirty  in  all.  Two  or  three 
hundred  friendly  Creeks  and  Cherokees  joined  them  at 
Talladega.  With  this  force  he  continued  his  march  to 
Emuckfaw  river,  where  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  had 
collected. 

On  the  21st,  he  approached  the  neighborhood  of  the 
enemy.  At  day  break  the  next  morning,  the  Creek  war 
riors  drove  in  the  sentinels,  and  vigorously  charged  the 
left  flank.  The  assault  was  bravely  given  and  bravely 


70  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

received,  and  the  battle  was  maintained  with  great  spirit 
on  both  sides  for  half  an  hour.  The  following  is  General 
Jackson's  official  report  of  the  engagement,  to  Maj.  Gen. 
Pinckney,  of  the  U.  S.  army,  and  as  it  is  more  interesting 
than  any  other  detail  we  can  procure,  we  lay  it  with  plea 
sure  before  our  readers  : 

Head  Quarters,  Fort  Strother,  Jan.  29,  1814. 
Maj.  Gen.  Thomas  Pinckney, 

Sir — I  had  the  honor  of  informing  you  in  a  letter  of  the 
3lst  ult.  [expressl  of  an  excursion  I  contemplated  making 
still  further  in  the  enemy's  country,  with  the  new  raised 
volunteers  from  Tennessee.  I  had  ordered  those  troops 
to  form  a  junction  with  me  on  the  10th  inst.,  but  they  dia 
not  arrive  until  the  14th.  Their  number,  including  offi 
cers,  was  about  eight  hundred,  and  on  the  15th,  I  marched 
them  across  the  river  to  graze  their  horses.  On  the  next 
day  I  followed  with  the  remainder  of  my  force,  consisting 
of  the  artillery  company,  with  one  six  pounder,  one  com 
pany  of  infantry  of  forty-eight  men,  two  companies  of 
spies  commanded  by  Capts.  Gordon  and  Russell,  of  about 
thirty  men  each,  and  a  company  of  volunteer  officers, 
headed  by  Gen.  Coffee,  who  had  been  abandoned  by  his 
men,  and  who  still  remained  in  the  field  awaiting  the 
orders  of  the  government ;  making  my  force,  exclusive  of 
Indians,  nine  hundred  and  thirty. 

The  motives  which  influenced  me  to  penetrate  still  fur 
ther  into  the  enemy's  country,  with  this  force,  were  many 
and  urgent.  The  terms  of  service  of  the  new  raised 
volunteers  was  short,  and  a  considerable  part  of  it  was 
expired  ;  they  were  expensive  to  the  government ;  and 
were  full  of  ardor  to  meet  the  enemy.  The  ill  effects  of 
keeping  soldiers  of  this  description  long  stationary  and 
idle,  I  had  been  made  to  feel  but  too  sensibly  already — 
other  causes  concurred  to  make  such  a  movement  not  only 
justifiable,  but  absolutely  necessary.  I  had  received  a 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  71 

letter  from  Capt.  M'Alpin,  of  the  fifth  inst.,  who  com 
manded  at  Fort  Armstrong,  in  the  absence  of  Col.  Snod- 
grass,  informing  me  that  fourteen  or  fifteen  towns  of  the 
enemy,  situated  on  the  waters  of  the  Tallapoosa,  were 
about  uniting  their  forces,  and  attacking  that  place,  which 
had  been  left  in  a  very  feeble  state  of  defence.  You  had 
in  your  letter  of  the  24th  ult.  informed  me  that  General 
Floyd  was  about  to  make  a  movement  to  the  Tallapoosa, 
near  its  junction  with  the  Coosa ;  and  in  the  same  letter 
had  recommended  temporary  excursions  against  such  of 
the  enemy's  towns,  or  settlements,  as  might  be  within 
striking  distance,  as  well  to  prevent  my  men  from  be 
coming  discontented,  as  to  harass  the  enemy.  Your  ideas 
corresponded  exactly  with  my  own,  and  I  was  happy  in 
the  opportunity  of  keeping  my  men  engaged,  distressing 
the  enemy,  and  at  the  same  time  making  a  diversion  to 
facilitate  the  operations  of  Gen.  Floyd. 

Determined  by  these  and  other  considerations,  I  took 
up  the  line  of  march  on  the  17th  inst.,  and  on  the  18th, 
encamped  at  Talladega  fort,  where  I  was  joined  by 
between  two  and  three  hundred  friendly  Indians  :  sixty 
five  of  whom  were  Cherokees,  the  balance  Creeks.  Here 
I  received  your  letter  of  the  9th  inst.,  stating  that  General 
Floyd  was  expected  to  make  a  movement  from  Cowetau 
the  next  day,  and  that  in  ten  days  thereafter  he  would 
establish  a  firm  position  at  Tuckbatchee  ;  and  also  a  letter 
from  Col.  Snodgrass,  who  had  returned  to  Fort  Arm 
strong,  informing  me  that  an  attack  was  intended  to  be 
soon  made  on  that  fort,  by  nine  hundred  of  the  enemy. 
If  I  could  have  hesitated  before,  I  could  now  hesitate  no 
longer.  I  resolved  to  lose  no  time  in  meeting  this  force, 
which  was  understood  to  have  been  collected  from  New 
Yorcau,  Oakfuskie,  and  Ufauley  towns,  and  were  con 
centrated  in  a  bend  of  the  Tallapoosa,  near  the  mouth  of 
a  creek,  called  Emuckfaw,  and  on  an  island  below  New 
Yorcau. 


72  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

On  the  morning  of  the  20th,  your  letter  of  the  10th 
inst.,  forwarded  by  M'Candles,  reached  me  at  the  Hillabee 
Creek ;  and  that  night  I  encamped  at  Enotachopco,  a 
small  Hillabee  village,  about  twelve  miles  from  Emuck- 
faw.  Here  I  began  to  perceive  very  plainly  how  little 
knowledge  my  spies  had  of  the  country,  of  the  situation 
of  the  enemy,  or  of  the  distance  I  was  from  them.  The 
insubordination  of  the  new  troops,  and  the  want  of  skill  in 
most  of  their  officers,  also  became  more  and  more  apparent. 
But  their  ardor  to  meet  the  enemy  was  not  diminished  ;  and 
I  had  sure  reliance  upon  the  guards,  and  upon  the  company 
of  old  volunteer  officers,  and  upon  the  spies,  in  all  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five.  My  wishes  and  my  duty 
remained  united,  and  I  was  determined  to  effect,  if  possi 
ble,  the  objects  for  which  the  excursion  had  been  prin 
cipally  undertaken. 

On  the  morning  of  the  21st,  I  marched  from  Enota 
chopco,  as  direct  as  I  could  for  the  bend  of  the  Talla- 
poosa,  and  about  two  o'clock,  P.  M.  my  spies  having  dis 
covered  two  of  the  enemy,  endeavored  to  overtake  them, 
cut  failed.  In  the  evening  I  fell  in  upon  a  large  trail, 
which  led  to  a  new  road,  much  beaten  and  lately  traveled. 
Knowing  that  I  must  have  arrived  within  the  neighbor 
hood  of  a  strong  force,  and  it  being  late  in  the  day,  1 
determined  to  encamp,  and  reconnoitre  the  country  in  the 
night.  I  chose  the  best  site  the  country  would  admit, 
encamped  in  a  hollow  square,  sent  out  my  spies  and 
pickets,  doubled  my  sentinels,  and  made  the  necessary 
arrangements  before  dark,  for  a  night  attack.  About  ten 
o'clock  at  night,  one  of  the  pickets  fired  at  three  of  the 
enemy,  and  killed  one,  but  he  was  not  found  until  the 
next  day.  At  eleven  o'clock,  the  spies  whom  I  had  sent 
out,  returned  with  the  information,  that  there  was  a  large 
encampment  of  Indians  at  the  distance  of  about  thre<j 
miles,  who,  from  their  whooping  and  dancing,  seemed  to 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  73 

be  apprised  of  our  approach.  One  of  these  spies,  an 
Indian  in  whom  I  had  great  confidence,  assured  me  that 
they  were  carrying  off  their  women  and  children,  and  that 
the  warriors  would  either  make  their  escape,  or  attack 
me  before  day.  Being  prepared  at  all  points,  nothing 
remained  to  be  done  but  to  await  their  approach,  if  they 
meditated  an  attack,  or  to  be  in  readiness,  if  they  did  not . 
to  pursue  and  attack  them -at  day-light.  While  we  were 
in  this  state  of  readiness,  the  enemy  about  six  o'clock  in 
the  morning  commenced  a  vigorous  attack  on  my  left 
flank,  which  was  vigorously  met ;  the  action  continued  to 
rage  on  my  left  flank,  and  on  the  left  of  my  rear,  for  about 
half  an  hour.  The  braveGen.  Coffee,  with  Col.  Sitler,  the 
adjutant  general  and  Col. Carrol,  the  inspector  general,  the 
moment  the  firing  commenced,  mounted  their  horses  and 
repaired  to  the  line,  encouraging  and  animating  the  men 
to  the  performance  of  their  duty.  So  soon  as  it  became 
light  enough  to  pursue,  the  left  wing  having  sustained  the 
heat  of  the  action,  and  being  somewhat  weakened,  was 
reinforced  by  Capt.  Ferrill's  company  of  infantry,  and 
was  ordered  and  led  on  to  the  charge  by  Gen.  Coffee,  who 
was  well  supported  by  Col.  Higgins  and  the  inspector 
general,  and  by  all  the  officers  and  privates  who  composed 
that  line.  The  enemy  was  completely  routed  at  every 
point,  and  the  friendly  Indians  joining  in  the  pursuit,  they 
were  chased  about  two  miles  with  considerable  slaughter. 
The  chase  being  over,  I  immediately  detached  General 
Coffee  with  four  hundred  men,  and  all  the  Indian  force, 
to  burn  their  encampment ;  but  it  was  said  by  some  to  be 
fortified.  I  ordered  him  in  that  event,  not  to  attack  it 
until  the  artillery  could  be  sent  forward  to  reduce  it.  On 
viewing  the  encampment  and  its  strength,  the  general 
thought  it  most  prudent  to  return  to  my  encampment,  and 
guard  the  artillery  thither.  The  wisdom  of  this  step  was 
soon  discovered — in  half  an  hour  after  his  return  to  camp, 
7 


74  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

a  considerable  force  of  the  enemy  made  its  appearance  on 
my  right  flank,  and  commenced  a  brisk  fire  on  a  party  of 
men,  who  had  been  on  picket  guard  the  night  before,  and 
were  then  in  search  of  the  Indians  they  had  fired  upon, 
some  of  whom  they  believed  had  been  killed.  General 
Coffee  immediately  requested  me  to  let  him  take  two  hun 
dred  men,  and  turn  their  left  flank,  which  I  accordingly 
ordered ;  but,  through  some  mistake  which  I  did  not  then 
observe,  not  more  than  fifty-four  followed  him,  among  whom 
were  the  old  volunteer  officers.  With  these,  however,  he 
immediately  commenced  an  attack  on  the  left  flank  of  the 
enemy  ;  at  which  time  I  ordered  two  hundred  of  the 
friendly  Indians,  to  fall  in  upon  the  right  flank  of  the 
enemy,  and  co-operate  with  the  general.  This  order  was 
promptly  obeyed,  and  on  the  moment  of  its  execution, 
what  I  expected  was  realized.  The  enemy  had  intended 
the  attack  on  the  right  as  a  feint,  and  expecting  to  direct 
all  my  attention  thither,  meant  to  attack  me  again,  and  with 
their  main  force  on  the  left  flank,  which  they  had  hoped  to 
find  weakened  and  in  disorder — they  were  disappointed. 
I  had  ordered  the  left  flank  to  remain  firm  in  its  place, 
and  the  moment  the  alarm  gun  was  heard  in  that  quarter, 
I  repaired  thither,  and  ordered  Capt.  Ferrill,  part  of  my 
reserve,  to  support  it.  The  whole  line  met  the  approach 
of  the  enemy  with  astonishing  intrepidity,  and  having 
given  a  few  fires,  they  forthwith  charged  with  great 
vigor — the  effect  was  immediate  and  inevitable.  The 
enemy  fled  with  precipitation,  and  were  pursued  to  a  con 
siderable  distance,  by  the  left  flank  and  the  friendly 
Indians,  with  a  galling  and  destructive  fire.  Col.  Carrol, 
who  ordered  the  charge,  led  on  the  pursuit,  and  Colonel 
Higgins  and  his  regiment  again  distinguished  them 
selves. 

In  the  mean  time,  Gen.  Coffee  was  contending  with  a 
superior  force  of  the  enemy.     The  Indians  who  I  had 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  76 

ordered  to  his  support,  and  who  had  set  out  for  this  pur 
pose,  hearing  the  firing  on  the  left,  had  returned  to  that 
quarter,  and  when  the  enemy  were  routed  there,  entered 
into  the  chase.  That  being  now  over,  I  forthwith  ordered 
Jim  Fife,  who  was  one  of  the  principal  commanders  of 
the  friendly  Creeks,  with  one  hundred  of  his  warriors,  to 
execute  my  first  order.  So  soon  as  he  reached  General 
Coffee,  the  charge  was  made,  and  the  enemy  routed  ;  they 
were  pursued  about  three  miles,  and  forty-five  of  them 
slain,  who  were  found.  Gen.  Coffee  was  wounded  in  the 
body,  and  his  aid-de-camp,  A.  Donaldson,  killed,  together 
with  three  others.  Having  brought  in  and  buried  the 
dead,  and  dressed  the  wounded,  I  ordered  my  camp  to  be 
fortified,  to  be  the  better  prepared  to  repel  any  attack 
which  might  be  made  in  the  night,  determined  to  make  a 
return  march  to  Fort  Strother  the  following  day.  Many 
causes  concurred  to  make  such  a  measure  necessary,  as  I 
had  not  set  out  prepared,  or  with  a  view  to  make  a  per 
manent  establishment.  I  considered  it  worse  than  use 
less  to  advance  and  destroy  an  empty  encampment.  I 
had,  indeed,  hoped  to  have  met  the  enemy  there,  but 
having  met  and  beaten  them  a  little  sooner,  I  did  not  think 
it  necessary  or  prudent  to  proceed  any  further — not 
necessary,  because  I  had  accomplished  all  I  could  expect 
to  effect  by  marching  to  their  encampment ;  and  because 
if  it  was  proper  to  contend  with  and  weaken  their  forces 
still  farther,  this  object  would  be  more  certainly  attained, 
by  commencing  a  return,  which  having  to  them  the  ap 
pearance  of  a  retreat,  would  inspirit  them  to  pursue  me. 
Not  prudent — because  of  the  number  of  my  wounded ; 
of  the  reinforcements  from  below,  which  the  enemy  might 
be  expected  to  receive ;  of  the  starving  condition  of  my 
horses,  they  having  had  neither  corn  nor  cane  for  two 
days  and  nights  ;  of  the  scarcity  of  supplies  for  my  men, 
the  Indians  who  joined  me  at  Talladega  having  drawn 


76  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

none,  and  being  wholly  destitute  ;  and  because  if  the 
enemy  pursued  me,  as  it  was  likely  they  would,  the  di 
version  in  favor  of  Gen.  Floyd  would  be  the  more  com 
plete  and  effectual.  Influenced  by  these  considerations, 
I  commenced  my  return  march,  at  half  after  ten  on  the 
23d,  and  was  fortunate  enough  to  reach  Enotachopco 
before  night,  having  passed,  without  interruption,  a  dan 
gerous  defile  occasioned  by  a  hurricane.  I  again  fortified 
my  camp,  and  having  another  defile  to  pass  in  the  morning, 
across  a  deep  creek,  and  between  two  hills  which  I  had 
viewed  with  attention  as  I  passed  on,  and  where  I  ex 
pected  I  might  be  attacked,  I  determined  to  pass  it  al 
another  point,  and  gave  directions  to  my  guide  and  fatigue 
men  accordingly.  My  expectation  of  an  attack  in  the 
morning  was  increased  by  the  signs  of  the  night,  and 
with  it  my  caution.  Before  I  moved  the  wounded  from 
the  interior  of  my  camp,  I  had  my  front  and  rear  guards 
formed,  as  well  as  my  right  and  left  columns,  and  moved 
off  my  centre  in  regular  order,  leading  down  a  handsome 
ridge  to  Enotachopco  creek,  at  a  point  where  it  was  clear 
of  reed,  except  immediately  on  its  margin.  I  had  pre 
viously  issued  a  general  order,  pointing  out  the  manner  in 
which  the  men  should  be  formed  in  the  event  of  an  attack 
on  the  front  or  rear,  or  on  the  flanks,  and  had  particularly 
cautioned  the  officers  to  halt  and  form  accordingly,  the 
instant  the  word  should  be  given. 

The  front  guard  had  crossed  with  part  of  the  flank 
columns,  the  wounded  were  over,  and  the  artillery  in  the 
act  of  entering  the  creek,  when  an  alarm  gun  was  heard 
in  the  rear.  I  heard  it  without  surprise,  and  even  with 
pleasure,  calculating  with  the  utmost  confidence  on  the 
firmness  of  my  troops,  from  the  manner  in  which  I  had 
seen  them  act  on  the  22d.  I  had  placed  Col.  Carrol  at, 
the  head  of  the  centre  column  of  the  rear  guard;  its  right 
column  was  commanded  by  Col.  Perkins,  and  its  left  by 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  77 

Col.  Stump.  Having  chosen  the  ground,  I  expected  there 
to  have  entirely  cut  off  the  enemy,  by  wheeling  the  right 
and  left  columns  on  their  pivot,  recrossing  the  creek  above 
and  below,  and  falling  in  upon  their  flanks  and  rear.  But 
to  my  astonishment  and  mortification,  when  the  word  was 
given  by  Col.  Carrol  to  halt  and  form,  and  a  few  guns 
had  been  fired,  I  beheld  the  right  and  left  columns  of  the 
rear  guard  precipitately  give  way.  This  shameful  retreat 
was  disastrous  in  the  extreme ;  it  drew  along  with  it  the 
greater  part  of  the  centre  column,  leaving  not  more  than 
twenty-five  men,  who  being  formed  by  Col.  Carrol,  main 
tained  their  ground  as  long  as  it  was  possible  to  maintain 
it,  and  it  brought  consternation  and  confusion  into  the  cen 
tre  of  the  army ;  a  consternation  which  was  not  easily 
removed,  and  a  confusion  which  could  not  be  soon  restored 
to  order.  There  was  then  left  to  repulse  the  enemy,  the 
few  who  remained  of  the  rear  guard,  the  artillery  com 
pany,  and  Capt.  Russell's  company  of  spies.  They  how 
ever  realized  and  exceeded  my  highest  expectations. 
Lieut.  Armstrong,  who  commanded  the  artillery  company 
in  the  absence  of  Capt.  Deaderick,  (confined  by  sickness,) 
ordered  them  to  form  and  advance  to  the  top  of  the  hill, 
whilst  he  and  a  few  others  dragged  up  the  six  pounder. 
Never  was  more  bravery  displayed  than  on  this  occasion. 
Amidst  the  most  galling  fire  from  the  enemy,  more  than 
ten  times  their  number,  they  ascended  the  hill,  and  main 
tained  their  position  until  their  piece  was  hauled  up,  when 
having  leveled  it,  they  poured  upon  the  enemy  a  fire  of 
grape,  reloaded  and  fired  again,  charged  and  repulsed 
them. 

The  most  deliberate  bravery  was  displayed  by  Con- 
stantine  Perkins  and  Craven  Jackson,  of  the  artillery, 
acting  as  gunners.  In  the  hurry  of  the  moment,  in  sepa 
rating  the  gun  from  the  limbers,  the  rammer  and  picker 
of  the  cannon  was  left  tied  to  the  limber.  No  sooner  was 
7* 


78  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

this  discovered,  than  Jackson,  amidst  the  galling  fire  of 
the  enemy,  pulled  out  the  ramrod  of  his  musket  and  used 
it  as  a  picker ;  primed  with  a  cartridge  and  fired  the  can 
non.  Perkins  having  pulled  off  his  hayonet,  used  his 
musket  as  a  rammer,  drove  down  the  cartridge  ;  and 
Jackson  using  his  former  plan,  again  discharged  her. 
The  brave  Lieut.  Armstrong,  just  after  the  first  fire  of  the 
cannon,  with  Capt.  Hamilton  of  E.  Tennessee,  Bradford 
and  M'Gavock,  all  fell,  the  Lieut,  exclaiming  as  he  lay, 
"  My  brave  fellows,  some  of  you  may  fall,  but  you  must 
save  the  cannon.'91  About  this  time,  a  number  crossed 
the  creek  and  entered  into  the  chase.  The  brave  Capt. 
Gordon  of  the  spies,  who  rushed  from  the  front,  endea 
vored  to  turn  the  flank  of  the  enemy,  in  which  he  par 
tially  succeeded,  and  Col.  Carrol,  Col.  Higgins,  and  Capt. 
Elliot  and  Pipkins,  pursued  the  enemy  for  more  than  two 
miles,  who  fled  in  consternation,  throwing  away  their 
packs,  and  leaving  twenty-six  of  their  warriors  dead  on 
the  field.  This  last  defeat  was  decisive,  and  we  were  no 
more  disturbed  by  their  yells.  I  should  do  injustice  to 
my  feelings  if  I  omitted  to  mention  that  the  venerable 
Judge  Cocke,  at  the  age  of  sixty-five,  entered  into  en 
gagement,  continued  the  pursuit  of  the  enemy  with  youth 
ful  ardor,  and  saved  the  life  of  a  fellow-soldier  by  killing 
his  savage  antagonist. 

Our  loss  in  this  affair  was  —  killed  and  wounded, 
among  the  former  was  the  brave  Capt.  Hamilton,  from 
East  Tennessee,  who  had,  with  his  aged  father  and  two 
others  of  his  company,  after  the  period  of  his  engage- 
ment  had  expired,  volunteered  his  services  for  this  excur 
sion,  and  attached  himself  to  the  artillery  company.  No 
man  ever  fought  more  bravely,  or  fell  more  gloriously  ; 
and  by  his  side  fell  with  equal  bravery  and  glory,  Bird 
Evans  of  the  same  company.  Capt.  Quarles,  who  com 
manded  the  centre  column  of  the  rear  guard,  preferring 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  79 

death  to  the  abandonment  of  his  post,  having  taken  a  firm 
stand  in  which  he  was  followed  by  twenty-five  of  his 
men,  received  a  wound  in  his  head  of  which  he  has  since 
died. 

In  these  several  engagements,  our  loss  was  twenty 
killed  and  seventy-five  wounded,  four  of  whom  have  since 
died.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  cannot  be  accurately  ascer 
tained  ;  one  hundred  and  eighty-nine  of  their  warriors 
were  found  dead ;  but  this  must  fall  considerably  short  of 
the  number  really  killed.  Their  wounded  can  only  be 
guessed  at. 

Had  it  not  been  for  the  unfortunate  retreat  of  the  rear 
guard  in  the  affair  of  the  24th  inst.  I  think  I  could  safely 
have  said,  that  no  army  of  militia  ever  acted  with  more 
cool  and  deliberate  bravery  :  undisciplined  and  inexpe 
rienced  as  they  were,  their  conduct  in  the  several  en 
gagements  of  the  22d,  could  not  have  been  surpassed  by 
regulars.  No  men  ever  met  the  approach  of  an  enemy 
with  more  intrepidity,  or  repulsed  them  with  more  energy. 
On  the  24th,  after  the  retreat  of  the  rear  guard,  they 
seemed  to  have  lost  all  their  collectedness,  and  were  more 
difficult  to  be  restored  to  order,  than  any  troops  I  had 
ever  seen.  But  this  was  no  doubt  owing  in  a  great 
measure,  or  altogether,  to  that  very  retreat,  and  ought 
rather  to  be  ascribed  to  the  want  of  conduct  in  many  of 
their  officers,  than  any  cowardice  in  the  men,  who  on 
every  occasion  have  manifested  a  willingness  to  perform 
their  duty,  so  far  as  they  knew  it. 

All  the  effects  which  were  designed  to  be  produced  by 
this  excursion,  it  is  believed  have  been  produced.  If  an 
attack  was  meditated  against  Fort  Armstrong,  that  has 
been  prevented.  If  Gen.  Floyd  is  operating  on  the  east 
side  of  the  Tallapoosa,  as  I  suppose  him  to  be,  a  most 
fortunate  diversion  has  been  made  in  his  favor.  The 
number  of  the  enemy  has  been  diminished,  and  the  con- 


80  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

fidence  they  may  have  derived  from  the  delays  I  have 
been  made  to  experience,  has  been  destroyed.  Discon 
tent  has  been  kept  out  of  my  army,  while  the  troops  who 
would  have  been  exposed  to  it,  have  been  beneficially  em 
ployed.  The  enemy's  country  has  been  explored,  and  a 
road  cut  to  the  point  where  their  force  will  probably  be 
concentrated,  when  they  shall  be  driven  from  the  country 
below.  But  in  a  report  of  this  kind,  and  to  you  who  will 
immediately  perceive  them,  it  is  not  necessary  to  state  the 
happy  consequences  which  may  be  expected  to  result 
from  this  excursion.  Unless  I  am  greatly  mistaken,  it 
will  be  found  to  have  hastened  the  termination  of  the 
Creek  war,  more  effectually  than  any  measure  I  could 
have  taken  with  the  troops  under  my  command. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  sentiments  of  high  respect,  your 
obedient  servant,  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

This  was  an  important  victory,  and  contributed  much 
towards  weakening  the  power  of  the  enemy,  and  of  en 
abling  Gen.  Jackson  to  bring  the  Creek  war  to  a  speedy 
termination.  He  marched  his  army  back  to  Fort  Strother 
unmolested  by  the  savages,  whose  spirits  were  much  de 
pressed  by  the  sanguinary  conflict,  which  had  proved  so 
disastrous  to  their  hopes.  This  victory  was  followed  by 
another  obtained  by  the  Georgia  forces,  under  Gen.  Floyd. 

That  officer  was  stationed,  with  his  troops,  at  Camp 
Defiance,  fifty  miles  west  of  Chatahouchee.  Upon  the 
27th  January,  he  was  assailed  very  early,  by  a  numerous 
horde  of  savages.  The  sentinels  were  suddenly  driven  in, 
and  a  most  desperate  attack  was  commenced  upon  the 
lines.  General  Floyd  thus  describes  the  engagement. 

"  The  steady  firmness  and  incessant  fire  of  Captain 
Thomas'  artillery,  and  Captain  Adams'  riflemen,  preserved 
our  front  line  :  both  of  these  suffered  greatly.  The  enemy 
rushed  within  thirty  yards  of  the  artillery,  and  Captain 
Broadnax,  who  commanded  one  of  the  picket  guards, 


ANDREW  JACKSOX.  81 

maintained  his  post  with  great  bravery,  until  the  enemy 
gained  his  rear,  and  then  cut  his  way  through  them  to 
the  army.  On  this  occasion,  Timpoochie  Barnuel,  a  half 
breed,  at  the  head  of  the  Uchies,  distinguished  himself, 
and  contributed  to  the  retreat  of  the  picket  guard :  the 
other  friendly  Indians  took  refuge  within  our  lines  and 
remained  inactive,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  who  join 
ed  our  ranks.  So  soon  as  it  became  light  enough  to  dis 
tinguish  objects,  I  ordered  Majors  Watson's  and  Free 
man's  battalions  to  wheel  up  to  right  angles,  with  Majors 
Booth's  and  Cleveland's  battalions,  who  formed  the  right 
wing,  to  prepare  for  the  charge.  Captain  Duke  Hamil 
ton's  cavalry,  (who  had  reached  me  but  the  day  before,) 
was  ordered  to  form  in  the  rear  of  the  right  wing,  to  act 
as  circumstances  should  dictate.  The  order  for  the 
charge  was  promptly  obeyed,  and  the  enemy  fled  in  every 
direction  before  the  bayonet.  The  signal  was  given  for 
the  charge  of  the  cavalry,  who  pursued,  and  sabred  fif 
teen  of  the  enemy  ;  who  left  thirty-seven  dead  on  the 
field.  From  the  effusion  of  blood,  and  the  number  of 
head-dresses  and  war-clubs  found  in  various  directions, 
their  loss  must  have  been  considerable,  independent  of  the 
wounded. 

I  directed  the  friendly  Indians,  with  Merriwether's  and 
Ford's  rifle  companies,  accompanied  by  Captain  Hamil 
ton's  troop,  to  pursue  them  through  Callibee  Swamp, 
where  they  were  trailed  by  their  blood,  but  succeeded  in 
overtaking  but  one  of  their  wounded. 

Colonel  Newman  received  three  balls  in  the  commence 
ment  of  the  action,  which  deprived  me  of  the  services  of 
that  gallant  and  useful  officer.  The  assistant  Adjutant 
General  Narden  \vas  indefatigable  in  the  discharge  of 
his  duty,  and  rendered  important  services  :  his  horse  was 
wounded  under  him.  The  whole  of  the  staff  was  prompt, 
and  discharged  their  duty  \vith  courage  and  fidelity ;  their 


82  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

vigilance,  the  intrepidity  of  the  officers,  and  the  firmness 
of  the  men,  meet  my  approbation,  and  deserve  the  praise 
of  their  country.  I  have  to  regret  the  death  of  many  of 
my  brave  fellows,  who  have  found  honourable  graves  in 
the  voluntary  support  of  their  country. 

My  aid-de-camp,  in  executing  my  orders,  had  his  horse 
killed  under  him.  General  Lee  and  Major  Pace,  who 
acted  as  additional  aids,  rendered  me  essential  services, 
with  honor  to  themselves,  and  usefulness  to  the  cause  in 
which  they  have  embarked.  Four  wagon,  and  several 
other  horses,  were  killed,  arid  two  of  the  artillery  horses 
wounded.  While  I  deplore  the  losses  sustained  on  this 
occasion,  I  have  the  consolation  to  know,  that  the  men 
who  I  have  the  honor  to  command,  have  done  their  duty." 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  battle,  was  seven 
teen  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  wrounded. 
General  Jackson  found  that  one  great  object  of  his  last 
brilliant  expedition  was  effected — the  relief  of  the  Geor 
gia  militia. 

It  was  now  the  first  of  February,  1814.  General 
Jackson's  forces  were  at  Fort  Strother,  where,  although 
in  no  immediate  danger  of  famine,  there  was  by  no  means 
a  supply  for  any  length  of  time.  General  Jackson,  ever 
since  he  had  commanded  the  army  in  the  Creek  country, 
had  had  his  attention  diverted  from  the  great  object  of  a 
general — the  organization  of  his  army — the  introduction 
of  correct  discipline,  and  preparation  for  active  service. 
Indeed,  he  had  to  perform  the  duty  of  commissary,  quar 
ter-master,  and  commander.  Washington  was  often  in 
his  situation  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  He  could  find 
an  excuse  for  his  countrymen,  in  the  then  destitute  state 
of  the  country ;  but  for  the  contractors  for  the  southern 
army  in  1814,  there  was  no  excuse.  In  a  country  abound 
ing  in  beeves,  swine,  and  bread  stuffs,  an  army  had  often 
been  driven  to  mutiny  and  desertion  through  the  appre- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  83 

hension  of  want.  There  is,  probably,  not  an  officer  in 
the  American  service,  but  who  will  condemn  the  mode  of 
supplying  an  army  by  contractors.  They  make  the  best 
terms  they  can  with  the  government  for  themselves  ;  the 
hardest  possible  terms  for  the  seller  of  provisions,  and  of 
ten  furnish  the  war-worn  veteran  with  rations  deficient  in 
quantity,  and  miserable  in  quality.  They  think  of  nothing 
but  gaining  a  fortune,  while  the  gallant  soldiers,  who  are 
suffering  by  their  frauds,  and  famishing  by  their  avarice, 
are  gaining  victories  for  their  country. 

General  Jackson  had  suffered  too  much,  with  his 
brave  soldiers,  for  longer  endurance.  He  supplied  his 
army  by  his  own  agents,  leaving  the  contractors  to  pay 
the  expense.  When  no  longer  any  cause  existed  for  com 
plaints  in  his  camp,  he  silenced  them.  He  caused  a  mu 
tineer  to  be  tried  by  a  court  martial ;  and  when  condemn 
ed  to  die,  he  approved  of  the  sentence,  and  he  suffered 
death.  He  ordered  every  officer  to  be  arrested  within  his 
command,  who  should  be  found  exciting  mutiny  or  diso 
bedience.  He  knew  that  a  crisis  had  arrived  when  a  great 
blow  must  be  struck,  or  the  expedition  abandoned. 

The  Creeks  had  assembled  in  great  force  at  the  bend 
of  the  Tallapoosa,  at  a  place  called  by  the  savages  Toho- 
peka — by  the  Americans,  the  Horse-Shoe.  At  this  place, 
the  most  desperate  resistance  was  expected  ;  and  every 
measure,  within  the  limited  means  of  General  Jackson, 
was  resorted  to,  to  meet  it. 

The  39th  regiment  United  States  infantry,  under  the 
command  of  Col.  Williams,  had  been  ordered  to  join  the  ar 
my  under  General  Jackson.  It  did  not  exceed  six  hundred 
men.  By  the  middle  of  March,  his  whole  force  amounted 
to  between  three  and  four  thousand.  He  then  commenced 
his  march.  Upon  the  21st,  he  established  a  fort  at  the 
mouth  of  Cedar  Creek,  and  named  it  Fort  Williams. 
Leaving  a  sufficient  force  to  protect  it,  he  renewed  hie 


84  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

march  upon  the  24th.  Upon  the  27th,  a  day  which  will 
be  remembered  in  the  traditional  annals  of  the  brave,  the 
infatuated,  the  blood  thirsty  Creeks,  until  they  become  ex 
tinct,  General  Jackson  and  his  army  reached  Tohopeka. 
The  events  of  that  day,  are  thus  briefly  detailed  by  the 
commander. 

Battle  Ground,  bend  of  Tallapoosa, 

2Sth  March,  1814. 
Maj.  Gen.  Pinckney : 

Sir — I  feel  particularly  happy  in  being  able  to  commu 
nicate  to  you,  the  fortunate  eventuation  of  my  expedition 
to  the  Tallapoosa.  I  reached  the  head,  near  the  Emuck- 
fau,  called  by  the  whites  the  Horse-Shoe,  about  ten  o'clock 
on  the  forenoon  of  yesterday,  where  I  found  the  strength 
of  the  neighboring  towns  collected.  Expecting  our  ap 
proach,  they  had  gathered  in  from  Oakfuskie,  Oakehoga, 
New  Yorcau,  Hillabees,  the  Fish  Pond,  and  Eufaulee 
towns,  to  the  number,  it  is  said,  of  one  thousand.  It  is 
difficult  to  conceive  a  situation  more  eligible  for  defence 
than  the  one  they  had  chosen,  or  one  rendered  more  se 
cure  by  the  skill  with  which  they  had  erected  their  breast 
work.  It  was  from  five  to  eight  feet  high,  and  extended 
across  the  point  in  such  a  direction,  as  that  a  force  ap 
proaching  it  would  be  exposed  to  a  double  fire,  while  they 
lay  in  perfect  security  behind.  A  cannon  planted  at  one 
extremity  could  have  raked  it  to  no  advantage. 

Determining  to  exterminate  them,  I  detached  General 
Coffee  with  the  mounted  men,  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the 
Indian  force,  early  on  the  morning  of  yesterday,  to  cross 
the  river  about  two  miles  below  their  encampment,  and  to 
surround  the  bend  in  such  a  manner,  as  that  none  of  them 
should  escape  by  attempting  to  cross  the  river.  With  the 
infantry,  I  proceeded  slowly,  and  in  order,  along  the  point 
of  land  which  led  to  the  front  of  their  breast  work  ;  hav 
ing  planted  my  cannon,  one  six  and  one  three  pounder,  on 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  85 

an  eminence  at  the  distance  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  to 
two  hundred  yards  from  it,  I  opened  a  very  brisk  fire,  play 
ing  upon  the  enemy  with  muskets  and  rifles  whenever 
they  showed  themselves  beyond  it.  This  was  kept  up 
with  short  interruptions  for  about  two  hours,  when  a  part 
of  the  Indian  force,  and  Captain  Russell's  and  Lieutenant 
Bean's  company  of  spies,  who  had  accompanied  General 
Coffee,  crossed  over  in  canoes  to  the  extremity  of  the  bend, 
and  set  fire  to  a  few  of  the  buildings  which  were  there  si 
tuated  ;  they  then  advanced  with  great  gallantry  towards 
the  breastwork,  and  commenced  a  spirited  fire  upon  the 
enemy  behind  it. 

Finding  that  this  force,  notwithstanding  the  bravery 
they  displayed,  was  wholly  insufficient  to  dislodge  them, 
and  that  General  Coffee  had  entirely  secured  the  opposite 
bank  of  the  river,  I  now  determined  to  take  it  by  storm. 
The  men  by  whom  this  was  to  be  effected,  had  been  wait 
ing  with  impatience  to  receive  the  order,  and  hailed  it  with 
acclamation. 

The  spirit  which  animated  them,  was  a  sure  augury  of 
the  success  which  was  to  follow.  The  history  of  warfare, 
I  think  furnishes  few  instances  of  a  more  brilliant  attack. 
The  regulars,  led  on  by  their  intrepid  and  skillful  comman 
der,  Colonel  Williams,  and  by  the  gallant  Major  Montgo 
mery,  soon  gained  possession  of  the  works,  in  the  midst 
of  a  most  tremendous  fire  from  behind  them  ;  and  the  mi 
litia  of  the  venerable  General  Doherty's  brigade,  accom 
panied  them  in  the  charge  with  a  vivacity  and  firmness 
which  would  have  done  honor  to  regulars.  The  enemy 
were  completely  routed.  Five  hundred  and  fifty-seven 
were  left  dead  on  the  peninsula,  and  a  great  number  were 
killed  by  the  horsemen  in  attempting  to  cross  the  river  : 
it  is  believed  that  not  more  than  twenty  have  escaped. 

The  fighting  continued  with  some  severity  about  five 
hours,  but  we  continued  to  destroy  many  of  them  who 

8 


86  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

had  concealed  themselves  under  the  banks  of  the  river, 
until  we  were  prevented  by  the  night.  This  morning  we 
killed  sixteen  who  had  been  concealed.  We  took  about 
two  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners,  all  women  and  children, 
except  two  or  three.  Our  loss  is  one  hundred  and  sixty 
wounded,  and  twenty-five  killed ;  Major  M'lntosh,  (the 
Cowetau,)  who  joined  my  army  with  a  part  of  his  tribe, 
greatly  distinguished  himself.  When  I  get  an  hour's  lei 
sure,  I  will  send  you  a  more  detailed  account. 

According  to  my  original  purpose,  I  commenced  my 
return  march  to  Fort  Williams  to-day,  and  shall,  if  I  find 
sufficient  supplies  there,  hasten  to  the  Hickory  Ground. 
The  power  of  the  Creeks  is,  I  think,  forever  broken. 

I  send  you  a  hasty  sketch,  taken  by  the  eye,  of  the  si 
tuation  on  which  the  enemy  were  encamped,  and  of  the 
manner  in  which  I  approached  them. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 
Maj.  Gen.  Pinckney. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans,  added  to  the  whole  loss  of 
the  friendly  Indians,  was  fifty-four  killed  and  one  hundred 
and  fifty-six  wounded. 

In  communicating  the  result  of  this  victory  to  the  War 
Department,  General  Pinckney  elegantly  and  impressive 
ly  observes  :  "While  the  sigh  of  humanity  will  escape, 
for  this  profuse  effusion  of  human  blood,  which  results 
from  the  savage  principle  of  our  enemy,  neither  to  give 
nor  accept  quarter ;  and  while  every  American  will  deep 
ly  lament  the  loss  of  our  meritorious  fellow-soldiers  who 
have  fallen  in  this  contest,  we  have  ample  cause  of  grati 
tude  to  the  Giver  of  all  victory,  for  thus  continuing  his 
protection  to  our  women,  and  children,  who  would  other 
wise  be  exposed  to  the  indiscriminate  havoc  of  the  toma 
hawk,  and  all  the  horrors  of  savage  warfare." 

Much  obloquy  and  gratuitous  animadversion  has  been 


ANDREW  JACKSON  87 

bestowed  upon  General  Jackson,  for  his  severity  to  the 
Indians  at  the  battle  of  the  Horse-Shoe.  It  has  been 
termed  by  his  enemies  "  a  cold-blooded  massacre."  With 
what  propriety  or  fairness  it  can  be  termed  such,  is  very 
difficult  to  conceive.  With  respect  to  its  being  a  "  cold 
blooded  massacre,"  as  no  order  for  one  was  ever  issued  by 
General  Jackson,  it  is  a  calumny  on  the  courage  and  hu 
manity  of  his  officers  and  men,  who  have  added  unfading 
laurels  to  those  which  they  gained  on  that  desperate  day — 
many  of  whom,  in  their  unrivalled  campaigns,  found 
honorable  wounds  or  glorious  death — and  some  of  whom 
have  filled  and  occupy  the  highest  stations,  in  the  esteem 
and  government  of  a  grateful  country.  There  is  no 
foundation  whatever,  in  truth  or  history,  to  support  such 
a  charge. 

General  Carrol,  the  late  governor  of  Tennessee,  and  a 
distinguished  disciple  of  General  Jackson  in  war,  whose 
rank  and  presence  in  this  action,  gave  him  a  minute  ac 
quaintance  with  its  features,  upon  ascertaining  that  such  a 
charge  had  been  preferred  against  General  Jackson,  de 
clared,  "that  during  the  whole  of  the  Creek  war,  he  serv 
ed  as  inspector  general  of  the  army ;  was  present  at  the 
battle  of  the  Horse  Shoe,  and  could  say  from  his  own  per 
sonal  knowledge,  that  the  charge  was  wholly  without 
foundation.  That  towards  the  close  of  the  action,  after 
the  breastworks  had  been  taken  by  assault,  a  number  of 
Indians  took  refuge  under  a  quantity  of  brush  and  logs ; 
that  General  Jackson  advanced  to  within  a  short  distance 
of  the  place  of  their  concealment,  and  directed  his  inter 
preter,  George  Mayfield,  to  assure  them,  that  if  they  would 
surrender  they  should  be  treated  with  the  greatest  human 
ity  ;  and  that  they  answered  the  proposition  by  firing  upon 
and  wounding  Mayfield  severely  in  the  shoulder.  That 
a  similar  proposition  was  also  made  by  Jim  Fife,  or  old 
Chinnebee,  and  the  fire  of  the  Indians  was  the  only  reply 


88  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

it  received.  That  it  was  after  a  number  of  our  men  were 
killed  and  wounded  by  those  Indians,  and  after  they  had 
twice  refused  to  surrender  upon  any  terms,  that  the  charge 
was  made  upon  them,  and  the  brush  set  on  fire,  from 
which  a  few  only  escaped  with  life.  That  the  prisoners 
taken  on  that  day,  including  a  large  number  of  women 
and  children,  were  humanely  treated  by  General  Jackson ; 
and  that  he  felt  himself  impelled  to  state  these  facts  in  jus 
tice  to  General  Jackson,  and  the  brave  men  who  fought 
the  battle  of  the  Horse-Shoe." 

But  these  charges  against  General  Jackson,  were  doubt 
less  intended  to  inculcate  the  belief,  that  dislodging  those 
desperate  Indians,  who  rejected  quarter,  and  prolonged  the 
battle  after  resistance  was  vain,  was  of  itself  a  "  cold 
blooded  massacre."  Are  then  the  enemies  of  the  United 
States,  when  waging  a  savage  unsparing  war,  to  requite 
with  wounds  and  death  our  offers  of  humanity  and  pro 
tection,  and  yet  be  saved  from  death  or  retaliation  ?  Are 
our  commanders  to  begin  an  action,  overpower  by  great 
efforts  the  main  force  of  the  enemy,  and  then  abandon  the 
field  and  the  victory  to  a  few  desperadoes  ?  General  Jack 
son's  duty  to  his  country  and  his  government,  compelled 
him,  if  in  his  power,  to  defeat  the  enemy ;  and  that  ope 
ration  necessarily  involves  the  destruction  of  every  adver 
sary,  who  refuses  to  yield.  Had  the  desperate  party  at 
the  Horse-Shoe,  been  a  detachment  of  Bonaparte's  Im 
perial  Guard,  the  veterans  of  fifty  pitched  battles,  and 
commanded  by  Ney  or  Soult,  they  must  have  suffered  the 
fate  of  the  Indians — as  a  garrison  which  refuses  a  sum 
mons,  may,  by  the  laws  of  war,  be  blown  into  the  air. 
But  who  were  these  determined  and  deluded  savages  ? 
The  same  who,  when  the  sudden  hostility  of  their  nation 
rose  like  an  inundation  on  the  settlements  of  Alabama, 
herding  hundreds  of  women  and  children  into  Fort 
Mimms,  broke  into  that  asylum  with  treachery,  fire,  and 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  89 

murder  ;  who  followed  to  that  feast  of  butchery,  where 
quarter  was  neither  offered  nor  allowed,  the  volcanic 
voice  of  Weatherford,  and  as  it  rose  above  the  shouts  of 
fury,  and  the  shrieks  of  despair,  breathing  inextinguisha 
ble  rage,  and  demanding  relentless  slaughter,  obeyed 
its  ferocious  summons,  until  but  seventeen  out  of  three 
hundred  of  our  unarmed  citizens  were  left  alive.  They 
were  the  same  men  who,  under  cover  of  a  truce  granted 
for  their  benefit  by  General  Jackson,  had  entrapped  and 
slaughtered  the  son  of  Chinnebee,  the  Massanissa  of 
the  Creeks,  the  friend  and  ally  of  the  American  people. 
These  are  the  beings,  whose  self-provoked  destruction  in 
a  fair  and  hard-fought  action,  it  would  be  the  wish  of 
General  Jackson's  enemies  to  have  considered  a  "cold 
blooded  massacre."  These  are  the  facts  relative  to  the 
battle  of  the  Horse-Shoe ;  our  readers  will  give  them 
their  due  consideration,  and  censure  or  applaud,  as  the 
justice  or  circumstances  of  the  case  may  seem  to  dictate, 
8* 


BIOGRAPHY  OF 


CHAPTER  V. 

General  Jackson  returns  to  Fort  Williams — Marches 
to  the  Hickory  Grounds — Prospects  of  the  Creeks — 
They  sue  for  peace — General  Pinckney  arrives  at 
Fort  Jackson — Interchange  of  courtesies  between 
him  and  General  Jackson — General  Pinckney  as 
sumes  the  command — Disbands  the  troops — General 
Jackson  returns  to  Tennessee — His  reception  there — 
Is  appointed  to  negotiate  with  the  Creeks — Eloquence 
of  the  Chiefs — He  concludes  a  peace  with  them — 
Spanish  aggressions — Correspondence  between  Ge 
neral  Jackson  and  Governor  Manriquez — General 
Jackson  at  Mobile — Attack  on  Fort  Bowyer — Major 
Lawrence's  report  of  it. 

ABOUT  the  1st  of  April,  General  Jackson  returned 
with  his  army  to  Fort  Williams.  When  he  assumed  the 
direction  of  the  Creek  war,  his  enfeebled  health  would 
have  honorably  excused  him  from  a  participation  in  the 
fatigues  and  hardships  of  the  camp.  But  no  minor  con 
siderations  have  ever  been  found  to  swerve  General  Jack 
son  from  the  path  of  duty,  nor  avert  his  footsteps  from  the 
post  of  danger.  The  peculiar  difficulties  which  he  en 
countered  during  the  Creek  campaign,  increased  his 
debility,  yet  the  fortunate  results  of  his  exertions  afforded 
him  the  richest  consolations.  He  was  now  desirous  of 
forming  a  junction  with  the  forces  of  Georgia,  in  order 
to  effect  a  more  speedy  termination  of  the  war,  or  com 
pel  the  savages  to  sue  for  peace. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  91 

With  this  object  in  view,  he  took  up  the  line  of  march 
with  his  troops  on  the  7th  of  April  for  the  Tallapoosa, 
intending  on  his  march  to  attack  a  body  of  the  enemy  at 
Hoithlewallee,  on  the  Hickory  Grounds.  He  here  ex 
pected  the  co-operation  of  the  Georgia  forces,  and  dis 
patched  a  message  to  the  commander,  stating  his 
expectation  of  meeting  and  attacking  the  Muscagees  on 
the  llth.  His  march  was  however  retarded  by  a  heavy 
fall  of  rain  ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  13th  that  he  arrived 
at  Hoithlewallee.  But  he  here  found  no  resistance 
from  the  enemy.  The  constant  succession  of  disasters 
which  had  attended  their  hostile  operations,  had  depressed 
their  spirits  and  withered  their  hopes.  Their  prophets, 
who  held  an  unlimited  influence  over  their  superstitious 
minds,  and  urged  them  on  by  all  the  force  of  Indian 
eloquence,  and  savage  daring,  to  the  perpetration  of  deeds 
of  horrid  butchery,  had  fallen  in  the  deadly  encounters, 
to  which  they  led  their  deluded  followers  by  their  incan 
tations  and  thirst  for  blood.  It  was  not  until  the  last  ray 
of  hope  was  extinguished,  that  they  deigned  to  supplicate 
their  conquerors  for  peace.  They  then  begged  of  the 
American  commander  an  extension  of  that  mercy  to  them, 
which  they  had  sworn  never  to  impart  to  us. 

Although  the  power  of  the  Creeks  was  broken,  it  was 
notwithstanding  deemed  necessary  to  establish  posts  for 
the  defence  of  the  frontier  settlements.  With  this  view, 
General  Jackson  established  a  fort  upon  the  Coosa,  near 
its  confluence  with  the  Tallapoosa,  which  was  named  Fort 
Jackson.  This  completed  the  line  of  forts  through  Ten 
nessee,  Georgia,  and  the  Alabama  Territory.  The 
Georgia  forces  were  now  joined  with  those  under  the 
command  of  General  Jackson ;  and  on  the  20th  April, 
Major  General  Pinckney  arrived  at  Fort  Jackson,  and 
assumed  the  command  of  the  whole  forces  in  the  Creek 
country. 


92  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

A  most  kindly  interchange  of  courtesies  here  took 
place  between  these  war-worn  veterans,  in  the  service  of 
their  country.  General  Pinckney  prepared  a  splendid 
entertainment,  and  invited  General  Jackson  and  his  staff 
to  partake  with  him.  Cheering,  indeed,  were  the  mutual 
congratulations  of  these  brave  officers,  as  at  the  convivial 
board  they  contemplated  the  dangers  they  had  passed,  the 
battles  they  had  fought,  and  the  blessings  of  peace  and 
security  which  they  had  purchased  for  their  countrymen, 
by  toil,  privation,  and  hardships. 

General  Jackson  reciprocated  the  civility  of  his  com- 
mander-in-chief,  by  inviting  him  to  dine  writh  him  at  his 
marquee  the  next  day.  The  simple  diet  that  had  sus 
tained  his  soldiers  in  the  prosecution  of  this  arduous  cam 
paign,  constituted  the  bill  of  fare.  None  but  those  who 
have  passed  through  similar  scenes  of  danger,  can  appre 
ciate  the  deep  emotions  of  joy  and  gratulation  that  these 
meritorious  men  experienced,  on  an  occasion  like  this. 
Proud,  indeed,  was  such  a  day  to  Andrew  Jackson.  The 
storm  of  savage  vengeance,  which  burst  like  a  volcano 
upon  the  devoted  inmates  of  Fort  Minims,  had  called  him 
into  the  field  to  avenge  the  slaughter  of  his  countrymen  ; 
he  had  penetrated  the  unbroken  forests  and  deep  morasses 
of  that  region  with  an  astonishing  celerity,  had  attacked 
the  enemy  in  their  fastnesses  ;  and  at  Tallushatches,  Tal- 
ladega,  Emuckfaw,  and  Tohopeka,  had  taught  the  Creeks 
to  respect  the  lives  and  property  of  our  citizens. 

General  Pinckney  assumed  the  command  of  General 
Jackson's  corps  only  to  disband  them,  after  expressing  his 
exalted  sense  of  their  bravery  and  patriotism.  On  the  21st, 
the  next  day  after  General  Pinckney  assumed  the  com 
mand,  he  ordered  the  Tennessee  troops  to  be  marched 
home,  and  discharged ;  retaining,  however,  sufficient  to 
garrison  the  established  posts.  General  Jackson  imme 
diately  took  measures  to  comply  with  the  order. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  93 

The  following  is  General  Jackson's  last  communication, 
as  an  officer  in  the  military  forces  of  Tennessee  : 

Fort 'Williams,  April  25th,  at  night. 

Sir — General  Pinckney  joined  me  at  Fort  Jackson  on 
the  20th.  The  enemy  continuing  to  come  in  from  every 
quarter,  and  it  being  now  evident  that  the  war  was  over, 
I  received  an  order  at  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  on  the  21st,  to 
march  my  troops  back  to  Fort  Williams,  and  after  having 
dispersed  any  bodies  of  the  enemy  who  may  have  assem 
bled  on  the  Cahawba,  or  within  striking  distance,  and 
provided  for  the  maintenance  of  posts  between  Tennessee 
and  Fort  Jackson,  to  discharge  the  remainder.  Within 
two  hours  after  receiving  this  order,  I  was  on  the  line  of 
march  ;  and  reached  this  place  last  evening,  a  distance 
of  about  sixty  miles. 

To  Brigadier  General  Doherty,  I  shall  assign  the  duty 
of  keeping  up  the  posts,  wrhich  form  the  line  of  commu 
nication  between  Tennessee  and  the  confluence  of  the 
Coosa  and  Tallapoosa,  making  the  necessary  arrange 
ments  to  enable  him  to  do  so.  About  four  hundred  of  the 
East  Tennessee  militia  will  be  left  at  this  place,  two  hun 
dred  and  fifty  at  Fort  Strother,  and  seventy-five  at  Fort 
Armstrong  and  New  Deposit.  Old  Deposit  will  be  main 
tained  by  Captain  Hammond's  company  of  rangers. 

To-morrow  I  detail  five  hundred  of  the  militia,  under 
the  command  of  Brigadier  General  Johnson,  to  the  Ca 
hawba,  with  instructions  to  unite  with  me  at  Fort  Deposit, 
after  having  dispersed  any  bodies  of  the  enemy  they  may 
find  there  assembled. 

The  commissioners  who  have  been  appointed  to  make  a 
treaty  with  the  Creeks,  need  have  nothing  to  do  but  assign 
them  their  proper  limits.  Those  of  the  friendly  party,  wlio 
have  associated  with  me,  will  be  easily  satisfied;  and 
those  of  the  hostile  party,  they  consider  it  a  favor  that  their 
lives  have  been  spared  them,  and  will  look  upon  any  space 


94  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

that  may  be  allowed  them  for  their  future  settlement,  as  a 
bounteous  donation.  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  point  out 
what  I  think  ought  to  be  the  future  line  of  separation, 
with  which  I  will  hereafter  make  you  acquainted.  If 
they  should  be  established,  none  of  the  Creeks  will  be  left 
on  the  west  of  the  Coosa. 

Accompanying  this,  I  send  you  a  report  made  by  the 
adjutant  general,  of  the  killed  and  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Tohopeka,  which  was  omitted  to  be  sent  by  the  former 
express.  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

After  the  lapse  of  a  few  days,  General  Jackson  com 
menced  his  march  for  Tennessee.  On  his  arrival  at 
Fayetteville,  his  troops  were  discharged,  and  returned  to 
their  homes.  The  Tennesseeans  duly  appreciated  the 
services  of  General  Jackson,  in  his  successful  prosecution 
of  the  Creek  war  ;  and  wherever  he  went,  he  was  wel 
comed  by  the  most  enthusiastic  demonstrations  of  joy  and 
gratitude.  In  June,  1814,  he  was  appointed  brigadier 
general  in  the  army  of  the  United  States. 

About  this  period  he  was  appointed  a  commissioner,  to 
secure  by  negotiation  what  he  had  already  acquired  by 
arms. 

To  make  a  treaty,  however,  with  Indians,  can  hardly 
be  called  negotiation,  as  it  is  considered  among  civilized 
powers.  The  law  of  nations,  which  requires  "  good 
faith"  between  the  contracting  parties,  is  a  code  not  re 
cognized  by  American  savages.  It  is  rather  a  con 
tract  of  bargain  and  sale,  with  a  penalty  annexed  for  a 
breach  of  covenant.  Colonel  Hawkins,  who  was  ap 
pointed  Indian  agent  by  General  Washington,  and  who 
has  been  in  the  agency  ever  since,  was  associated  with 
General  Jackson  in  this  mission. 

By  the  American  forces,  a  complete  conquest  had  been 
made  of  the  whole  Creek  country ;  and  this  conquest  had 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  95 

been  occasioned  by  flagrant  breaches  of  treaty,  and  out 
rageous  violations  of  humanity  by  the  Creeks.  Had  the 
American  government  felt  the  cupidity,  or  exercised  the 
power,  which  the  larger  kingdoms  of  Europe  manifest 
towards  the  smaller  ones,  the  Creeks  must  either  have 
fled  from  their  country,  or  been  reduced  to  vassalage,  and 
their  country  itself  would  have  been  annexed  to  the  United 
States.  But  its  existence  commenced  upon  the  broad  prin 
ciples  of  national  and  individual  justice,  and  in  the  pro 
gress  of  its  government,  it  has  never  deviated  from  them. 

The  object  of  General  Jackson  and  the  other  commis 
sioners,  was  not  so  much  to  obtain  new  territory,  as  to 
secure  the  acknowledged  territory  of  the  United  States 
from  the  future  depredations  of  Indian  hostility.  On  the 
10th  August,  1814,  a  treaty  was  executed,  which  is  before 
the  public.  It  cut  off  the  savages  from  all  communication 
with  the  perpetual  disturbers  of  our  tranquillity,  and 
secured  to  the  government  such  privileges  in  their  coun 
try,  as  will  hereafter  place  the  frontiers  out  of  danger 
from  the  Creeks. 

The  speeches  of  the  Indian  Chiefs,  which  were  elicited 
upon  the  occasion,  are  worthy  of  preservation.  Wether- 
ford  was  a  brave  but  infatuated  chieftain.  His  speech  is 
as  follows : 

"  I  am  in  your  power — do  with  me  as  you  please.  I 
am  a  soldier.  I  have  done  the  white  people  all  the  harm 
I  could  ;  I  have  fought  them,  and  fought  them  bravely : 
If  I  had  an  army,  I  would*yet  fight  and  contend  to  the 
last ;  but  I  have  none :  my  people  are  all  gone.  I  can 
now  do  no  more  than  weep  over  the  misfortunes  of  my 
nation.  Once  I  could  animate  my  warriors  to  battle  :  but 
I  cannot  animate  the  dead.  My  warriors  can  no  longer 
hear  my  voice :  their  bones  are  at  Talladega,  Tallushat- 
ehes,  Emuckfaw,  and  Tohopeka.  I  have  not  surrendered 
myself  thoughtlessly.  Whilst  there  were  chances  of  sue- 


96  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

cess,  I  never  left  my  post,  nor  supplicated  peace.  But 
my  people  are  gone,  and  I  now  ask  it  for  my  nation  and 
for  myself.  On  the  miseries  and  misfortunes  brought 
upon  my  country,  I  look  back  with  the  deepest  sorrow,  and 
wish  to  avert  still  greater  calamities.  If  I  had  been  left 
to  contend  with  the  Georgia  army,  I  would  have  raised 
my  corn  on  one  bank  of  the  river,  and  fought  them  on  the 
other  ;  but  your  people  have  destroyed  my  nation.  You 
are  a  brave  man — I  rely  upon  your  generosity.  You  will 
exact  no  terms  of  a  conquered  people,  but  such  as  they 
should  accede  to  :  whatever  they  may  be,  it  would  now 
be  madness  and  folly  to  oppose.  If  they  are  opposed, 
you  shall  find  me  amongst  the  sternest  enforcers  of  obe 
dience.  Those  who  would  still  hold  out,  can  be  influenced 
only  by  a  mean  spirit  of  revenge ;  and  to  this  they  must 
not,  and  shall  not  sacrifice  the  last  remnant  of  their 
country.  You  have  told  us  where  we  might  go  and  be 
safe.  This  is  a  good  talk,  and  my  nation  ought  to  listen 
to  it.  They  shall  listen  to  it." 

He  was  followed  thus  by  the  Big  Warrior  : 
"  The  President,  our  father,  advises  us  to  honesty  and 
fairness,  and  promises  that  justice  shall  be  done ;  I  hope 
and  trust  it  will  be  !  I  made  this  war,  wrhich  has  proved 
so  fatal  to  my  country,  that  the  treaty  entered  in  a  long 
time  ago,  with  father  Washington,  might  not  be  broken. 
To  his  friendly  arm  I  hold  fast.  I  will  never  break  that 
chain  of  friendship  we  made  together,  and  which  bound 
us  to  stand  to  the  United  States.  He  was  a  father  to  the 
Muscogee  people  ;  and  not  only  to  them,  but  to  all  the 
people  beneath  the  sun.  His  talk  I  now  hold  in  my  hand. 
There  sits  the  agent*  he  sent  among  us.  Never  has 
he  broken  the  treaty.  He  has  lived  with  us  a  long  time. 
He  has  seen  our  children  born,  who  now  have  children. 

*  Colonel  Hawkins. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  97 

By  his  direction,  cloth  was  wove,  and  clothes  were  made, 
and  spread  through  our  country  ;  but  the  Red  Sticks  came 
and  destroyed  all — we  have  none  now.  Hard  is  our 
situation,  and  you  ought  to  consider  it.  I  state  what  all 
the  nation  knows  ;  nothing  will  I  keep  secret. 

There  is  the  Little  Warrior,  whom  Colonel  Hawkins 
knows.  While  we  were  giving  satisfaction  for  the  mur 
ders  that  had  been  committed,  he  proved  a  mischief-maker ; 
he  went  to  the  British  on  the  lakes  ;  he  came  back,  and 
brought  a  package  to  the  frontiers,  which  increased  the 
murders  here.  This  conduct  has  already  made  the  war 
party  to  suffer  greatly  :  but,  although  almost  destroyed, 
they  will  not  yet  open  their  eyes,  but  are  led  away  by  the 
British  at  Pensacola.  Not  so  with  us ;  we  were  rational, 
and  had  our  senses — we  yet  are  so.  In  the  war  of  the 
revolution,  our  father  beyond  the  waters  encouraged  us 
to  join  him,  and  we  did  so.  We  had  no  sense  then.  The 
promises  he  made  were  never  kept.  We  were  young  and 
foolish,  and  fought  with  him.  The  British  can  no  more 
persuade  us  to  do  wrong  :  they  have  deceived  us  once, 
and  can  deceive  us  no  more.  You  are  two  great  people. 
If  you  go  to  war,  we  will  have  no  concern  in  it ;  for  we 
are  not  able  to  fight.  We  wish  to  be  at  peace  with  every 
nation.  If  they  offer  me  arms,  I  will  say  to  them,  You 
put  me  in  danger,  to  war  against  a  people  born  in  our 
own  land.  They  shall  never  force  us  into  danger.  You 
shall  never  see  that  our  chiefs  are  boys  in  council,  who 
will  be  forced  to  do  any  thing.  I  talk  thus,  knowing  that 
father  Washington  advised  us  never  to  interfere  in  wars. 
He  told  us  that  those  in  peace  were  the  happiest  people. 
He  told  us  that  if  the  enemy  attacked  him,  he  had  warriors 
enough,  and  did  not  wish  his  red  children  to  help  him.  If 
the  British  "advise  us  to  any  thing,  I  will  tell  you — not 
hide  it  from  you.  If  they  say  we  must  fight,  I  will  tell 
them,  No !" 

9 


98  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

The  negotiation  was  concluded  by  a  treaty  of  peace 
dictated  to  them  by  General  Jackson,  on  severe  but  just 
terms.  They  agreed  to  yield  a  portion  of  their  country 
as  an  indemnity  for  the  expenses  of  the  war  ;  they  con 
ceded  the  privilege  of  opening  roads  through  their  coun 
try,  together  with  the  liberty  of  navigating  their  rivers  ; 
they  also  stipulated  to  hold  no  intercourse  with  any  British 
or  Spanish  fort,  or  garrison,  and  to  deliver  up  the  pro 
perty  they  had  taken  from  the  whites  or  friendly  Indians. 
General  Jackson,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  under 
took  to  guaranty  their  territory,  to  restore  all  their  prison 
ers,  and  in  consideration  of  their  destitute  situation,  to 
furnish  them  gratuitously  with  the  necessaries  of  life, 
until  they  could  provide  for  themselves.  They  also 
engaged  to  establish  trading  houses,  and  endeavor  to 
bring  back  the  nation  to  its  former  state. 

The  infatuation  which  led  this  brave  nation  of  barbarians 
into  a  contest  which  resulted  so  much  to  their  disadvan 
tage,  cannot  be  too  much  lamented ;  and  yet  the  cruel 
policy  of  their  system  of  warfare  rendered  the  severity, 
with  which  they  were  treated  by  the  Americans,  indis 
pensably  necessary. 

But  the  peace  which  General  Jackson  concluded  with 
the  Creeks,  was  not  a  permanent  one  ;  those  who  were 
disaffected,  and  refused  to  acknowledge  the  national  capi 
tulation,  resorted  to  the  neighborhood  of  Pensacola,  and 
to  the  shores  of  the  Escambia  river,  where  they  held 
themselves  in  readiness  to  act  whenever  a  favorable  op 
portunity  should  occur.  The  Spanish  governor  of  Flo 
rida  fostered  and  encouraged  them  in  their  hostility  :  al 
though  his  government  was  ostensibly  neutral,  her  pre 
dilections  were,  notwithstanding,  strongly  in  favor  of  Great 
Britain,  and  she  lost  no  opportunity  of  secretly  aiding  the 
latter  in  her  belligerent  operations  against  the  United 
States. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  99 

While  General  Jackson  was  concluding  a  treaty  of 
peace  with  those  of  the  Creeks,  who  were  disposed  to 
capitulate,  he  dispatched  some  of  his  confidential  officers 
to  Pensacola,  to  observe  the  course  pursued  by  Gonzalez 
Manrequez,  the  Spanish  governor  ;  and  from  the  friendly 
Creeks,  he  was  also  daily  receiving  information  which 
confirmed  his  suspicions  of  the  reprehensible  course 
which  was  being  pursued  by  this  minister  of  Spain. 

In  September,  1814,  General  Jackson  had  received  no 
instructions  from  the  war  department,  relative  to  the  course 
to  be  pursued  with  the  Spanish  authorities  in  Florida. 
He  sent  a  direct  message  to  Governor  Manrequez,  request 
ing  him  to  point  out  the  course  he  was  about  to  pursue. 
The  correspondence  that  followed  between  him  and  Ge 
neral  Jackson,  has  long  been  before  the  public,  and  is  too 
voluminous  to  be  here  inserted.  The  governor  was  less 
equivocal,  and  more  explicit  than  he  had  previously  been. 
He  began  to  feel  a  strong  assurance  that  the  British  go 
vernment,  which  had  restored  his  master  to  the  throne, 
would  support  him  in  all  his  measures  against  the  United 
States.  He  knew  that  the  legitimate  sovereigns  of  Europe 
were  safely  enthroned,  and  that  pride  as  well  as  interest, 
would  induce  them  to  secure  to  Ferdinand  VII.  his  South 
American  colonies,  and  to  endeavor  to  regain  for  George 
III.  the  colonies  he  had  lost  in  the  North.  His  language 
was  confident,  not  to  say  imperious.  He  repelled  the 
charges  against  himself,  by  criminating  the  American  go 
vernment.  The  correspondence  was  closed  by  the  follow 
ing  letter  to  him,  from  General  Jackson : 

Were  I  clothed,  says  the  general,  with  diplomatic 
powers,  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  the  topics  embraced 
in  the  wide  range  of  injuries  of  which  you  complain,  and 
which  have  long  since  been  adjusted,  I  could  easily  de 
monstrate  that  the  United  States  have  been  always  faith 
ful  to  their  treaties ;  steadfast  in  their  friendships ;  nor 


100  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

have  ever  claimed  any  thing  that  was  not  warranted  by 
justice.  They  have  endured  many  insults  from  the  go 
vernors  and  other  officers  of  Spain,  which,  if  sanctioned 
by  their  sovereign,  amounted  to  acts  of  war,  without  any 
previous  declaration  on  the  subject.  They  have  excited 
the  savages  to  war,  and  afforded  them  the  means  of  waging 
it.  The  property  of  our  citizens  has  been  captured  at 
sea,  and  if  compensation  has  not  been  refused,  it  has  at 
least  been  withheld.  But  as  no  such  powers  have  been 
delegated  to  me,  I  shall  not  assume  them,  but  leave  them 
to  the  representatives  of  our  respective  governments. 

I  have  the  honor  of  being  intrusted  with  the  command 
of  this  district.  Charged  with  its  protection,  and  the 
safety  of  its  citizens,  I  feel  my  ability  to  discharge  the 
task,  and  trust  your  excellency  will  always  find  me  ready 
and  willing  to  go  forward  in  the  performance  of  that  duty, 
whenever  circumstances  shall  render  it  necessary.  I  agree 
with  you,  perfectly,  that  candor  and  polite  language 
should,  at  all  times,  characterize  the  communications  be 
tween  the  officers  of  friendly  sovereignties  ;  and  I  assert, 
without  the  fear  of  contradiction,  that  my  former  letter? 
were  couched  in  terms  the  most  respectful  and  unexcep 
tionable.  I  only  requested,  and  did  not  demand,  as  you 
asserted,  the  ringleaders  of  the  Creek  confederacy,  who 
had  taken  refuge  in  your  town,  and  who  had  violated  all 
laws,  moral,  civil,  and  divine.  This  I  had  a  right  to  do, 
from  the  treaty  which  I  sent  you,  and  which  I  now  again 
inclose,  with  a  request  that  you  will  change  your  transla 
tor  ;  believing,  as  I  do,  that  your  former  one  was  wrong, 
and  has  deceived  you. 

What  kind  of  an  answer  you  returned,  a  reference  to 
your  letter  will  explain.  The  whole  of  it  breathed  nothing 
but  hostility,  grounded  upon  assumed  facts,  and  false 
charges,  and  entirely  evading  the  inquiries  that  had  been 
made. 


AKDREW  JA9KSO-N.  * 

I  can  but  express  my  astonishment  -  at '  yoirf  protest 
against  the  cession  on  the  Alabama,  lying  within  the  ac 
knowledged  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  and  which 
has  been  ratified,  in  due  form,  by  the  principal  chiefs  and 
warriors  of  the  nation.  But  my  astonishment  subsides, 
when,  on  comparing  it,  I  find  it  upon  a  par  with  the  rest 
of  your  letter  and  conduct ;  taken  together,  they  afford  a 
sufficient  justification  for  any  consequences  that  may  en 
sue.  My  government  will  protect  every  inch  of  her  ter 
ritory,  her  citizens,  and  her  property,  from  insult  and  de 
predation,  regardless  of  the  political  revolutions  of  Eu 
rope  :  and  although  she  has  been  at  all  times  sedulous  to 
preserve  a  good  understanding  with  all  the  world,  yet  she 
has  sacred  rights,  that  cannot  be  trampled  upon  with  im 
punity.  Spain  had  better  look  to  her  own  intestine  com 
motions,  before  she  walks  forth  in  that  majesty  of  strength 
and  power,  which  you  threaten  to  draw  down  upon  the 
United  States.  Your  excellency  has  been  candid  enough 
to  admit  your  having  supplied  the  Indians  with  arms.  In 
addition  to  this,  I  have  learned  that  a  British  flag  has 
been  seen  flying  on  one  of  your  forts.  All  this  is  done 
whilst  you  are  pretending  to  be  neutral. 

You  cannot  be  surprised,  then,  but  on  the  contrary  will 
provide  a  fort  in  your  town,  for  my  soldiers  and  Indians, 
should  I  take  it  in  my  head  to  pay  you  a  visit. 

In  future,  I  beg  you  to  withhold  your  insulting  charges 
against  my  government,  for  one  more  inclined  to  listen 
to  slander  than  I  am  ;  nor  consider  me  any  more  as  a  di 
plomatic  character,  unless  so  proclaimed  to  you  from  the 
mouths  of  my  cannon. 

No  specific  object  was  effected  by  this  correspondence, 
other  than  a  full  developement  of  the  inimical  views  en 
tertained  by  the  Spanish  governor  towards  the  United 
States,  and  General  Jackson  laid  his  plans  of  operation 
accordingly. 

9* 


J08  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

General  Jackson  was  aow  commander  in  chief  of  the 
seventh  military  district,  including  the  most  important  part 
of  the  southern  section  of  the  union.  It  was  now  alto 
gether  the  most  endangered  part  of  it.  The  splendid  vic 
tories  at  Chippewa,  Bridgewater,  Fort  Erie,  and  Platts- 
burgh,  had  allayed  all  apprehension  from  British  armies 
in  the  north.  The  defence  of  New  London  and  Stoning- 
ton,  New  York  and  Baltimore,  had  robbed  British  "  naval 
demonstrations"  of  their  terrors,  upon  the  eastern  sea 
board.  The  British  admirals  and  British  generals  were 
concentrating  their  forces,  with  a  determination  to  wipe  off 
the  disgrace,  which  had  with  justice  been  attached  to  them 
— not  so  much  from  the  defeats  they  had  suffered,  as  from 
the  vandalism  they  had  displayed  in  the  Chesapeake  Bay, 
upon  the  Niagara  frontier,  and  at  the  city  of  Washington. 
The  utmost  confidence  was  expressed  by  the  British  in 
America,  of  the  success  of  this  great  and  united  effort  of 
the  armies  and  navies  of  Britain  ;  and  a  British  commis 
sioner  at  Ghent,  who  at  this  time  was  negotiating  a  peace 
with  American  commissioners,  tauntingly  remarked,  that 
before  they  had  time  to  conclude  a  peace,  New  Orleans  and 
the  states  upon  the  Mississippi  would  be  in  possession  of 
Sir  Edward  Packenham ! 

It  is  no  more  than  candid  to  admit,  that  very  serious 
apprehensions  were  entertained  by  Americans  themselves, 
in  regard  to  the  safety  of  the  southern  section  of  the  union, 
or  that  part  of  it  situated  upon  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi.  A  very  great  propor 
tion  of  the  troops  of  the  United  States  and  of  the  munitions 
of  war,  were  in  the  northern,  eastern,  and  middle  states, 
at  a  great  distance  from  New  Orleans.  The  whole  sea 
board,  from  Castine  to  that  place,  was  commanded  by  a 
superior  naval  force  of  the  enemy,  who  could  by  that  com 
mand,  in  a  very  short  time,  approach  any  assailable  point 
upon  the  ocean.  Sir  George  Prevost's  army  of  14,000, 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  103 

were,  in  Lower  Canada,  burning  to  revenge  the  defeat 
they  met  with  at  Plattsburgh.  Large  reinforcements  were 
known  to  have  arrived  from  England  in  the  West  Indies, 
under  the  command  of  some  of  the  most  renowned  gene 
rals  in  Wellington's  army,  and  every  indication  evinced 
the  determination  of  the  whole  land  and  naval  forces  of 
the  enemy,  upon  the  American  station,  to  make  a  descent 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi. 

Many  British  officers  had  already  arrived  at  Pensa- 
cola,  about  seventy  miles  east  of  Mobile  bay,  on  which 
Fort  Bowyer  is  situated.  Here  they  were  received  with 
great  cordiality  by  the  governor,  and  suffered  to  embody 
and  train  savages.  General  Jackson,  about  the  first  of 
September,  addressed  the  war  department  in  the  most 
pressing  terms.  In  one  of  his  letters,  he  says  :  How 
long  will  the  United  States  pocket  the  reproach  and  open 
insults  of  Spain  ?  it  is  alone  by  a  manly  and  dignified  course, 
that  we  can  secure  respect  from  other  nations,  and  peace 
to  our  own.  Temporizing  policy  is  not  only  a  disgrace,  but 
a  curse  to  any  nation.  It  is  a  fact,  that  a  British  captain 
of  marines  is,  and  has  been,  for  some  time,  engaged  in 
drilling  and  organizing  the  fugitive  Creeks,  under  the  eye 
of  the  governor ;  endeavoring,  by  his  influence  and  pre 
sents,  to  draw  to  his  standard,  as  well  the  peaceable  a£ 
the  hostile  Indians.  If  permission  had  been  given  to  me 
to  march  against  this  place,  (Pensacola,)  twenty  days  ago, 
I  would  ere  this  have  planted  there  the  AMERICAN  EAGLE  ; 
now  we  must  trust  alone  to  our  valor,  and  the  justice  of 
our  cause.  But  my  present  resources  are  so  limited — a 
sickly  climate,  as  well  as  an  enemy  to  contend  with,  and 
without  the  means  of  transportation,  to  change  the  position 
of  my  army,  that,  resting  on  the  bravery  of  my  little  pha 
lanx,  I  can  only  hope  for  success. 

The  secretary  of  war,  Mr.  Monroe,  incessantly  ex 
erted  himself  to  second  the  measures  of  General  Jackson. 


104  BIOGRAPHY  OP 

Having  acquired  Lousiana  and  the  exclusive  command  of 
the  Mississippi  by  negotiation,  he  was  now  called  upon  to 
defend  it  as  the  head  of  the  war  department.  As  there 
was,  within  the  seventh  military  district,  but  a  very  small 
number  of  regular  troops,  the  secretary  made  a  requisi-. 
tion  upon  the  executives  of  the  states  of  Louisiana,  Mis 
sissippi,  and  Tennessee,  to  have  their  full  quota  of  militia 
in  readiness  for  immediate  service,  at  the  command  of  Ge 
neral  Jackson.  Volunteers  were  again  invited  by  Gene 
ral  Jackson  to  resort  to  his  standard,  under  which  they  had 
always  conquered.  The  unbounded  popularity  of  Gene 
ral  Jackson  induced  the  militia  not  only  with  promptness, 
but  with  animation,  to  repair  to  the  rendezvous  ;  and  the 
Tennessee  volunteers,  under  their  gallant  General  Coffee, 
were  again  in  motion.  They  had  almost  invariably  form 
ed  the  van  of  General  Jackson's  army  ;  and  of  their  imme 
diate  commander,  it  may  be  said,  "  he  dared  to  lead  where 
any  dared  to  follow." 

General  Jackson,  before  the  middle  of  September,  had 
established  his  head-quarters  at  Mobile,  waiting  the  arri 
val  of  the  militia  and  volunteers,  some  of  whom  had  to 
travel  more  than  four  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  Upon  the 
14th  he  received  a  message  from  Maj.  William  Lawrence, 
commander  of  Fort  Bowyer  at  the  mouth  of  Mobile  bay, 
requesting  immediate  assistance  in  the  defence  of  that  im 
portant  post,  as  the  enemy  had  landed  in  the  vicinity  of  that 
place,  with  a  force  probably  ten  times  the  amount  of  his 
own.  Major  Lawrence  had  but  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
eight  men  fit  for  duty.  He  took  immediate  measures  to 
succor  this  exposed  garrison  ;  but  before  reinforcements 
could  reach  that  place,  it  was  simultaneously  attacked 
upon  the  15th,  by  the  British  and  Indian  forces,  by  land, 
and  by  a  large  naval  force  in  the  bay.  The  defence  of  this 
place  is  thus  described  by  General  Jackson,  and  Major 
Lawrence : 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  105 

GEN.  JACKSON,  TO  HON.  JAMES  MONROE. 

Head  Quarters  7th,  Military  District, 
Mobile,  Sept.  11th,  1824. 

Sir — With  lively  emotions  of  satisfaction,  I  communi 
cate  that  success  has  crowned  the  gallant  efforts  of  our 
brave  soldiers,  in  resisting1  and  repulsing  a  combined  Bri 
tish  naval  and  land  force ;  which  on  the  15th  instant,  at 
tacked  Fort  Bowyer,  on  the  Point  of  Mobile. 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  the  official  report  of  Maj.  William 
Lawrence  of  the  2d  infantry,  who  commanded.  In  ad 
dition  to  the  particulars  communicated  in  his  letter,  I  have 
learned  that  the  ship  which  was  destroyed,  was  the 
Hermes,  of  from  twenty-four  to  twenty-eight  guns,  cap 
tain,  the  Hon.  Wm.  H.  Percy,  senior  officer  in  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico  ;  and  the  brig  so  considerably  damaged,  is  the 
Sophie,  eighteen  guns,  Capt.  Wm.  Lockyer ;  the  other 
ship  was  the  Carron,  of  from  twenty-four  to  twenty-eight 
guns,  Captain  Spencer,  son  of  Earl  Spencer ;  the  other 
brig's  name  unknown.  On  board  of  the  Carron,  eighty- 
five  men  were  killed  and  wounded ;  among  whom  was 
Colonel  Nicholl,  of  the  Royal  Marines,  who  lost  an  eye 
by  a  splinter.  The  land  force  consisted  of  one  hundred 
and  ten  marines,  and  two  hundred  Creek  Indians,  under 
the  command  of  Captain  Woodbine,  of  marines,  and  about 
twenty  artillerists,  with  one  four  and  a  half  inch  howitzer, 
from  which  they  discharged  shells  and  nine  pound  shot. 
They  re-embarked  the  piece,  and  retreated  by  land  to 
wards  Pensacola,  whence  they  came. 

By  the  morning  report  of  the  sixteenth,  there  were 
present  in  the  fort,  fit  for  duty,  officers  and  men,  one  hun 
dred  and  fifty-eight.  The  result  of  this  engagement  has 
stamped  a  character  on  the  war  in  this  quarter,  highly  fa 
vorable  to  the  American  arms  ;  it  is  an  event  from  which 
may  be  drawn  the  most  favorable  augury. 

An  achievement  so  glorious  in  itself,  and  so  important 


106  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

in  its  consequences,  should  be  appreciated  by  the  govern 
ment;  and  those  concerned  are  entitled  to,  and  will,  doubt 
less,  receive  the  most  gratifying  evidence  of  the  appro 
bation  of  their  countrymen. 

In  the  words  of  Major  Lawrence,  "  where  all  behaved 
well,  it  is  unnecessary  to  discriminate."  But  all  being 
meritorious,  I  beg  leave  to  annex  the  names  of  the  offi 
cers,  who  were  engaged  and  present;  and  hope  they  will, 
individually,  be  deemed  worthy  of  distinction. 

Maj.  Wm.  Lawrence,  2d  infantry,  commanding ;  Cap 
tain  Walsh  of  the  artillery  ;  CaptS.  Chamberlain,  Brown- 
low,  and  Bradley,  of  the  3d  infantry  ;  Captain  Sands,  de 
puty  commissary  of  ordnance ;  Lieuts.  Villard,  Sturges, 
Conway,  H.  Sanders,  T.  R.  Sanders,  Brooks,  Davis,  and 
C.  Sanders,  all  of  the  3d  infantry. 

I  am  confident  that  your  own  feelings  will  lead  you  to 
participate  in  my  wishes  on  the  subject.  Permit  me  to 
suggest  the  propriety  and  justice  of  allowing  to  this  gal 
lant  band,  the  value  of  the  vessel  destroyed  by  them. 
I  remain,  &c.  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

The  Hon.  Secretary  of  War. 

The  following  is  the  official  report  of  Maj.  William 
Lawrence,  alluded  to  by  General  Jackson,  in  his  letter  to 
the  secretary  of  war. 

MAJ.  LAWRENCE  TO  GEN.  JACKSON. 

Fort  Bowyer,  Sept.  l&th,  1814, 

12  o'clock  at  night. 

Sir — After  writing  the  enclosed,  I  was  prevented  by  the 
approach  of  the  enemy,  from  sending  it  by  an  express. 
At  meridian  they  were  under  full  sail,  with  an  easy  and 
favorable  breeze,  standing  directly  for  the  fort,  and  at  4 
P.  M.  we  opened  our  battery,  which  was  returned  from 
two  ships,  and  two  brigs,  as  they  approached.  The  ac 
tion  became  general  at  about  twenty  minutes  past  four,  and 
was  continued  without  intermission  on  either  side  until 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  107 

seven,  when  one  ship  and  two  brigs  were  compelled  to  re 
tire.  The  leading  ship,  supposed  to  be  the  commodore, 
mounting  twenty-two  thirty-two  pound  carronades,  having 
anchored  nearest  our  battery,  was  so  much  disabled,  her 
cable  being  cut  by  our  shot,  that  she  drifted  on  shore,  with 
in  six  hundred  yards  of  the  battery,  and  the  other  vessels 
having  got  out  of  our  reach,  we  kept  such  a  tremendous  fire 
upon  her,  that  she  was  set  on  fire,  and  abandoned  by  the 
few  of  the  crew  who  survived.  At  ten  P.  M.  we  had  the 
pleasure  of  witnessing  the  explosion  of  her  magazine. 
The  loss  of  lives  on  board  must  have  been  immense,  as 
we  are  certain  no  boats  left  her  except  three,  which  had 
previously  gone  to  her  assistance,  and  one  of  these  I  be 
lieve  was  sunk  ;  %  fact,  one  of  her  boats  was  burnt  along 
side  of  her. 

The  brig  that  followed  her,  I  am  certain  was  much 
damaged  both  in  hull  and  rigging.  The  other  two  did 
not  approach  near  enough  to  be  much  injured,  but  I  am 
confident  they  did  not  escape,  as  a  well  directed  fire  was 
kept  on  them  during  the  whole  time. 

During  the  action,  a  battery  of  a  twelve  pounder  and  a 
howitzer,  was  opened  on  our  rear,  but  without  doing  any 
execution,  and  was  silenced  by  a  few  shot.  Our  loss  is 
four  privates  killed,  and  five  privates  wounded. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  action,  the  flag-staff'  was  shot 
away  ;  but  the  flag  was  immediately  hoisted  on  a  sponge 
staff  above  the  parapet.  While  the  flag  was  down,  the 
enemy  kept  up  their  most  incessant  and  tremendous  fire  ; 
the  men  were  withdrawn  from  the  curtains  and  northeast 
bastion,  as  the  enemy's  own  shot  completely  protected  our 
rear,  except  the  position  they  had  chosen  for  their  battery. 

Where  all  behaved  well,  it  is  unnecessary  to  discrimi 
nate.  Suffice  it  to  say,  every  officer  and  man  did  his  duty ; 
the  whole  behaved  with  that  coolness  and  intrepidity  which 
is  characteristic  of  the  true  American,  and  which  could 


108  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

scarcely  have  been  expected  from  men,  most  of  whom  had 
never  seen  an  enemy,  and  were  now,  for  the  first  time,  ex 
posed  for  nearly  three  hours,  to  a  force  of  nearly  or  quite 
four  guns  to  one. 

We  fired  during  the  action  between  four  and  five  hun 
dred  guns,  most  of  them  double  shotted,  and  after  the  first 
half  hour  but  few  missed  effect. 

Upon  an  examination  of  our  battery  the  following  morn 
ing,  we  found  upwards  of  three  hundred  shot  and  shot- 
holes,  in  the  inside  of  the  north  and  east  curtains,  and  north 
east  bastions,  of  all  calibers,  from  musket  ball  to  thirty- 
two  pound  shot.  In  the  north-east  bastion  there  were 
three  guns  dismounted  ;  one  of  which,  a  four  pounder,  was 
broken  off  near  the  trunnions  by  a  thirTy-two  pound  shot, 
and  another  much  battered.  I  regret  to  say  that  both  the 
twenty-four  pounders  are  cracked  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
render  them  unfit  for  service. 

I  am  informed  by  two  deserters  from  the  land  force,  who 
have  just  arrived  here,  and  whom  I  send  for  your  disposal, 
that  a  reinforcement  is  expected,  when  they  will  doubtless 
endeavour  to  wipe  off  the  stain  of  yesterday. 

If  you  will  send  the  Amelia  down,  we  may  probably 
save  most  or  all  of  the  ship's  guns,  as  her  wreck  is  lying 
in  six  or  seven  feet  water,  and  some  of  them  are  just  co 
vered.  They  will  not,  however,  answer  for  the  fort,  as 
they  are  too  short. 

By  the  deserters,  we  learn  that  the  ship  we  have  de 
stroyed,  was  the  Hermes,  but  her  commander's  name  they 
did  not  recollect.  It  was  the  commodore,  and  he  doubt 
less  fell  on  his  quarter  deck,  as  we  had  a  raking  fire  upon 
it,  at  about  two  hundred  yards  distance,  for  some  time. 

To  Captain  Sands,  who  will  have  the  honor  of  handing 
you  this  dispatch,  I  refer  you  for  a  more  particular  account 
of  the  movements  of  the  enemy  than  may  be  contained  in 
my  letters ;  his  services,  both  before  and  during  the  action, 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  109 

were  of  great  importance,  and  I  consider  fully  justify  me 
in  having  detained  him.  Captain  Walsh  and  several  men 
were  much  burned  in  the  accidental  explosion  of  two  or 
three  cartridges.  They  are  not  included  in  the  list  of  the 
wounded  heretofore  given. 

The  enemy's  fleet,  this  morning  at  day  break,  were  at 
anchor  in  the  channel,  about  four  miles  from  the  fort ; 
shortly  after,  it  got  under  way  and  stood  to  sea  ;  after 
passing  the  bar,  they  hove  to,  and  boats  have  been  con 
stantly  passing  between  the  disabled  brig  and  the  others. 
I  presume  the  former  is  so  much  injured  as  to  render  it  ne 
cessary  to  lighten  her. 

At  fifteen  minutes  after  1,  P.  M.,  the  whole  fleet  made 
sail,  and  stood  to  sea. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

WILLIAM  LAWRENCE. 

Maj.  Gen.  Andrew  Jackson,  &c. 

When  it  is  considered  that  this  fort  was  in  a  very  in 
complete  state,  having  been  almost  totally  abandoned  until 
General  Jackson  had  discovered  its  importance  to  the  sur 
rounding  country  in  time  of  war ;  that  it  was  only  in  a 
progressive  state  of  improvement ;  that  it  was  garrisoned 
by  only  a  hundred  and  fifty  new  recruits,  who  had  never 
before  faced  a  veteran  enemy  ;  and  that  it  was  assailable  on 
every  side  by  land  and  naval  forces,  probably  amounting 
to  fifteen  hundred  men,  and  a  hundred  pieces  of  cannon, 
its  defence  may  be  ranked  among  the  most  gallant 
achievements  in  the  last,  or  any  previous  war  in  America. 
It  contributed  much  to  invigorate  our  soldiers,  and  prepare 
them  for  the  brilliant  achievements  which  were  soon  to 
follow  at  New  Orleans,  where  they  and  their  gallant  com 
mander  covered  themselves  with  so  much  glory,  and 
elevated  the  standard  of  American  prowess  to  a  proud 
distinction  among  the  nations  of  the  earth. 

10 


110  BIOGRAPHY  OF 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Importance  of  Fort  Bowyer — Inadequacy  of  its  defence — 
Arrival  of  General  Coffee  and  Tennessee  forces — 
GeneralJacJcson  marches  to  Pensacola — The  Spanish 
Governor's  preparations  for  his  reception — General 
Jackson  sends  Major  Pierre  with  a  flag — He  is  fired 
at  from  the  forts — General  Jackson  attacks  and  sub 
dues  the  place — Colonel  Nicoll — His  proclamation — 
Censure  of  General  Jackson  for  his  operations  in  the 
Spanish  territory — The  legality  and  justice  of  his 
measures  defended. 

GENERAL  JACKSON  had  been  appointed  major  genera] 
in  the  army  of  the  United  States  previous  to  this  period, 
(October,  1814,)  and  commander  of  the  7th  military  dis 
trict.  He  had  been  major  general  by  brevet  some  time 
antecedent  to  this  appointment,  and  commander  of  the 
same  district. 

The  importance  of  Fort  Bowyer  as  a  military  post, 
became  more  and  more  apparent  to  him,  as  he  discovered 
the  great  preparation  of  the  enemy,  to  assail  the  whole 
American  sea-board,  from  Pensacola  to  New  Orleans. 
This  fort  was  but  three  days'  march  for  land  forces  from 
Pensacola,  where  the  British  had  already  hoisted  their 
flag ;  and  from  thence  to  New  Orleans,  but  ten  days' 
march.  By  the  possession  of  this  fort  at  the  mouth  of  the 
capacious  bay  of  Mobile,  the  bay  itself,  and  the  adjoining 
country,  the  British  land  and  naval  forces  would  derive 
incalculable  advantages.  To  secure  it,  therefore,  was,  in 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  Ill 

the  view  of  the  commanding  general,  of  the  utmost  im 
portance.  But  however  important  the  measure,  the  means 
to  accomplish  it  were  altogether  beyond  his  reach.  With 
out  a  naval  force  to  cover  the  fort,  or  to  assist  in  its  de- 
fe'nce ;  with  but  a  small  regular  force  under  his  command 
at  Mobile,  and  wholly  uncertain  when  the  forces  from  the 
distant  state  of  Tennessee,  and  other  places,  would  arrive, 
it  would  seem  to  have  been  the  dictate  of  prudence,  to 
have  evacuated  the  fort  and  the  country  at  once.  The 
gallant  defence  of  this  place,  upon  the  15th  of  September, 
although  a  severe  mortification  to  the  enemy,  would  in 
duce  them  to  send  a  force  against  it,  absolutely  irresisti 
ble.  So  insufficient  were  his  means  of  defence,  from  the 
middle  of  September,  to  about  the  20th  of  October,  and  so 
overwhelming  was  the  superiority  of  the  enemy's  force, 
and  constantly  augmenting,  that  had  he,  at  this  time, 
retired  to  New  Orleans  with  his  little  army,  a  unani 
mous  sentence  of  approbation  must  have  been  pronounced 
by  his  countrymen.  But  his  language  was,  "  resting  on 
the  bravery  of  my  little  phalanx,  I  hope  for  success." 
Notwithstanding  the  discouraging  aspect  of  affairs,  it  was 
at  this  period  that  he  resolved,  on  his  own  responsibility, 
to  march  for  Pensacola  ;  and  with  his  army  "  to  carry 
our  arms  where  we  find  our  enemies."  Having  been 
educated  as  a  jurist,  he  was  versed  in  the  principles  of 
the  law  of  nations.  He  had  a  knowledge  of  the  obli 
gations  which  one  government  owes  to  another — he  was 
aware  of  the  acts  which  this  code  would  justify  in  a  belli 
gerent  power,  and  the  duty  it  enjoined  upon  a  power  that 
was  professedly  a  neutral  one.  The  Spanish  govern 
ment  at  this  time,  in  regard  to  the  United  States,  was  of 
the  latter  character  by  profession,  and  of  the  former  one 
by  practice.  He  determined  to  place  himself  within 
striking  distance  of  the  enemy,  whether  he  found  them 
devastating  the  territory  of  the  United  States,  or  pre- 


112  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

paring   to  do  it   in  the   adjoining   territory   of  another 
power. 

About  the  middle  of  October,  General  Jackson  was 
joined  by  General  Coffee,  at  the  head  of  two  thousand 
Tennessee  volunteers  and  Mississippi  dragoons.  They 
were  soon  organized,  and,  General  Jackson  commanding 
in  person,  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  Pensacola.  On 
the  6th  of  November,  he  approached  the  place  with  his 
army. 

The  Spanish  governor  was  aware  of  his  approach,  and 
had  fortified  himself,  in  conjunction  with  the  British  forces, 
for  resistance.  The  forts  commanding  the  town  were 
manned,  batteries  were  laid  in  the  principal  streets,  and 
the  British  vessels  were  moored  in  the  bay,  so  as  to  com 
mand  the  approaches  to  the  town.  General  Jackson 
halted  with  his  army  before  the  town,  and  dispatched 
Major  Pierre  with  a  flag,  to  communicate  the  purpose  of 
his  visit.  The  garrison  fired  upon  him,  as  he  approached, 
in  violation  of  the  usages  of  civilized  warfare,  and  the 
rights  appertaining  to  belligerent  armies.  General 
Jackson  sent  the  flag  as  a  matter  of  courtesy,  but  the  un 
gracious  reception  it  met  with,  left  him  no  other  alter 
native  than  a  "  proclamation  of  his  diplomatic  character 
from  the  mouths  of  his  cannon."  He  attacked  them 
in  their  fortifications,  and  with  what  success  our  readers 
will  learn  from  his  hasty  report  of  it,  as  follows  : 

GEN.   JACKSON    TO   GOV.    BLOUNT. 

Head  Quarters,  1th  Military  District, 

Tensaw,  November,  1814. 

Sir — On  last  evening  I  returned  from  Pensacola  to  this 
place.  I  reached  that  post  on  the  evening  of  the  6th.  On 
my  approach,  I  sent  Major  Pierre  with  a  flag  to  commu 
nicate  the  object  of  my  visit  to  the  governor  of  Pensacola. 
He  approached  Fort  St.  George,  with  his  flag  displayed, 
and  was  fired  on  by  the  cannon  from  the  fort ;  he  returned 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  113 

and  made  report  thereof  to  me.  I  immediately  went  with 
the  adjutant  general  and  the  major,  with  a  small  escort, 
and  viewed  the  fort,  and  found  it  defended  by  both  British 
and  Spanish  troops.  I  immediately  determined  to  storm 
the  town  ;  retired  and  encamped  my  troops  for  the  night, 
and  made  the  necessary  arrangements,  to  carry  my  deter 
mination  into  effect  the  next  day. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  I  marched  with  the  effective 
regulars  of  the  3d,  39th,  and  4th  infantry ;  part  of  General 
Coffee's  brigade ;  the  Mississippi  dragoons,  and  part  of 
the  West  Tennessee  regiment,  commanded  by  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Hammonds,  (Colonel  Lowry  having  deserted  and 
gone  home,)  and  part  of  the  Choctaws,  led  by  Major 
Blue  of  the  39th,  and  Major  Kennedy,  of  Mississippi 
Territory.  Being  encamped  on  the  west  of  the  town,  I 
calculated  they  would  expect  the  assault  from  that  quarter, 
and  be  prepared  to  rake  me  from  the  fort,  and  the  British 
armed  vessels,  seven  in  number,  that  lay  in  the  bay.  To 
cherish  this  idea,  I  sent  out  part  of  the  mounted  men  to 
show  themselves  on  the  west,  whilst  I  passed  in  rear 
of  the  fort  undiscovered  to  the  east  of  the  town.  When  I 
appeared  within  a  mile,  I  was  in  full  view.  My  pride  was 
never  more  heightened  than  in  viewing  the  uniform  firm 
ness  of  my  troops,  and  with  what  undaunted  courage 
they  advanced  with  a  strong  fort  ready  to  assail  them  on 
the  right ;  seven  British  armed  vessels  on  the  left ;  strong 
block-houses  and  batteries  of  cannon  in  their  front :  but 
they  still  advanced  with  unshaken  firmness,  entered  the 
town,  when  a  battery  of  two  cannon  was  opened  upon  the 
centre  column,  composed  of  regulars,  with  ball  and  grape, 
and  a  shower  of  musketry  from  the  houses  and  gardens. 
The  battery  was  immediately  stormed  by  Captain  Levall 
and  company,  and  carried,  and  the  musketry  was  soon 
silenced  by  the  steady  and  well  directed  fire  of  the  regu 
lars. 

10* 


114  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

The  governor  met  Colonels  Williamson  and  Smith,  who 
led  the  dismounted  volunteers,  with  a  flag,  begged  for 
mercy,  and  surrendered  the  town  and  fort,  unconditionally. 
Mercy  was  granted,  and  protection  given  to  the  citizens 
and  their  property,  and  still  Spanish  treachery  kept  us 
out  of  possession  of  the  fort,  until  nearly  twelve  o'clock 
at  night. 

„  Never  was  more  cool  determined  bravery  displayed  by 
any  troops  ;  and  the  Choctaws  advanced  to  the  charge 
with  equal  bravery. 

On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  I  prepared  to  march  and 
storm  the  Barancas,  but  before  I  could  move,  tremendous 
explosions  told  me  that  the  Barancas,  with  all  its  appen 
dages,  was  blown  up.  I  dispatched  a  detachment  of  two 
hundred  men  to  explore  it,  who  returned  in  the  night 
with  the  information  that  it  was  blown  up  ;  all  the  com 
bustible  parts  burnt,  and  the  cannon  spiked  and  dismounted, 
except  two.  This  being  the  case,  I  determined  to  with 
draw  my  troops  ;  but  before  I  did,  I  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  the  British  depart.  Colonel  Nicoll  abandoned  the 
fort  on  the  night  of  the  6th,  and  betook  himself  to  his 
shipping,  with  his  friend  Captain  Woodbine,  and  their 
red  friends. 

The  steady  firmness  of  my  troops  has  drawn  a  just 
respect  from  our  enemies.  It  has  convinced  the  Red 
Sticks,  that  they  have  no  strong  hold  or  protection,  only 
in  the  friendship  of  the  United  States.  The  good  order 
and  conduct  of  my  troops  whilst  in  Pensacola,  has  con 
vinced  the  Spaniards  of  our  friendship  and  our  prowess, 
and  has  drawn  from  the  citizens  an  expression  that  our 
Choctaws  are  more  civilized  than  the  British. 
In  great  haste,  I  am,  &c. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 

None  of  our  soldiers  were  killed  in  this  battle  ;  fifteen  or 
twenty  only  were  wounded,  and  among  them  was  the  gal- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  115 

lant  Captain  Levall,  who  fell  at  the  head  of  his  company 
in  storming-  a  battery.  Governor  Manrequez  forgot  the 
importance  he  had  assumed  for  himself — fell  into  a  panic, 
and  in  the  midst  of  the  engagement  he  appeared  with  a 
flag,  and  begged  the  American  general  to  extend  mercy 
to  him,  and  surrendered  the  place  without  a  condition. 

Captain  Woodbine,  and  Colonel  Nicoll,  the  author  of  a 
famous  proclamation  which  was  promulgated  soon  after 
his  arrival  at  Pensacola,  were  amongst  the  first  who  fled 
in  consternation  to  their  shipping,  before  a  gun  was  fired. 
We  here  transcribe  the  proclamation  with  a  full  conviction 
that  it  is  our  bounden  duty  to  contribute  all  the  means  in 
our  power  to  snatch  so  invaluable  a  document  from  inglo 
rious  oblivion. 

COL.   NICOLL  TO   LOUISIANIANS,   KENTUCKIANS,   ETC. 

"  Natives  of  Louisiana  !  On  you  the  first  call  is  made, 
to  assist  in  liberating  from  a  faithless,  imbecile  govern 
ment,  your  paternal  soil;  Spaniards,  Frenchmen,  Italians, 
and  British,  whether  settled,  or  residing  for  a  time  in 
Louisiana,  on  you,  also,  I  call,  to  aid  me  in  this  just 
cause.  The  American  usurpation  in  this  country  must 
be  abolished,  and  the  lawful  owners  of  the  soil  put  in 
possession.  I  am  at  the  head  of  a  large  body  of  Indians, 
well  armed,  disciplined,  and  commanded  by  British 
officers — a  good  train  of  artillery,  with  every  requisite, 
seconded  by  the  powerful  aid  of  a  numerous  British  and 
Spanish  squadron  of  ships  and  vessels  of  war.  Be  not 
alarmed,  inhabitants  of  the  country,  at  our  approach  ;  the 
same,  good  faith  and  disinterestedness,  which  has  dis 
tinguished  the  conduct  of  Britons  in  Europe,  accompa 
nies  them  here;  you  will  have  no  fear  of  litigious  taxes 
imposed  upon  you,  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  on  an  un 
natural  and  unjust  war  ;  your  property,  your  laws,  the 
peace  and  tranquillity  of  your  country,  will  be  guarantied 
to  you  by  men,  who  will  suffer  no  infringement  of  theirs. 


116  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Rest  assured,  that  these  brave  red  men  only  burn  with  an 
ardent  desire  of  satisfaction,  for  the  wrongs  they  have 
suffered  from  the  Americans ;  to  join  you,  in  liberating 
these  southern  provinces  from  their  yoke,  and  drive  them 
into  those  limits  formerly  prescribed  by  my  sovereign. 
The  Indians  have  pledged  themselves  in  the  most  solemn 
manner,  not  to  injure,  in  the  slightest  degree,  the  persons 
or  properties  of  any  but  enemies.  A  flag  over  any  door, 
whether  Spanish,  French,  or  British,  will  be  a  certain 
protection ;  nor  dare  any  Indian  put  his  foot  on  the 
threshold  thereof,  under  penalty  of  death  from  his  OAvn 
countrymen  ;  not  even  an  enemy  will  an  Indian  put  to 
death,  except  resisting  in  arms  ;  and  as  for  injuring  help 
less  women  and  children,  the  red  men,  by  their  good  con 
duct  and  treatment  to  them,  will  (if  it  be  possible)  make 
the  Americans  blush  for  their  more  inhuman  conduct 
lately  on  the  Escambia  ;  and  within  a  neutral  territory. 

* '  Inhabitants  of  Kentucky  !  you  have  too  long  borne  with 
grievous  impositions — The  whole  brunt  of  the  war  has 
fallen  on  your  brave  sons  :  be  imposed  on  no  longer,  but 
either  range  yourselves  under  the  standard  of  your  fore 
fathers,  or  observe  a  strict  neutrality. 

"  If  you  comply  with  either  of  these  offers,  whatever 
provisions  you  send  down,  will  be  paid  for  in  dollars, 
and  the  safety  of  the  persons  bringing  it,  as  well  as  the 
free  navigation  of  the  Mississippi,  guarantied  to  you. 
Men  of  Kentucky !  let  me  call  to  your  view  (and  I  trust 
to  your  abhorrence)  the  conduct  of  those  factions,  which 
hurried  you  into  this  civil,  unjust,  and  unnatural  war, 
at  a  time  when  Great  Britain  was  straining  every  nerve, 
in  defence  of  her  own,  and  the  liberties  of  the  world — 
when  the  bravest  of  her  sons  were  fighting  and  bleeding 
in  so  sacred  a  cause — when  she  was  spending  millions  of 
her  treasure,  in  endeavoring  to  pull  down  one  of  the  most 
formidable  and  dangerous  tyrants,  that  ever  disgraced  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  117 

form  of  man — when  groaning  Europe  was  almost  in  her 
last  gasp — when  Britons  alone  showed  an  undaunted 
front — basely  did  those  assassins  endeavor  to  stab  her 
from  the  rear  ;  she  has  turned  on  them,  renovated  from 
the  bloody,  but  successful  struggle.  Europe  is  happy 
andfree^  and  she  now  hastens,  justly,  to  revenge  the  un 
provoked  insult.  Show  them  that  you  are  not  collectively 
unjust ;  leave  that  contemptible  few  to  shift  for  themselves ; 
let  those  slaves  of  the  tyrant  send  an  embassy  to  Elba, 
and  implore  his  aid  ;  but  let  every  honest,  upright  Ameri 
can,  spurn  them  with  united  contempt.  After  the  expe 
rience  of  twenty-one  years,  can  you  longer  support  those 
brawlers  for  liberty,  who  call  it  freedom,  when  themselves 
are  free  !  Be  no  longer  their  dupes — accept  of  my 
offers — every  thing  I  have  promised  in  this  paper,  I 
guaranty  to  you,  on  the  sacred  honor  of  a  British  officer." 

The  valiant  colonel,  after  having  perpetrated  this  im 
mortal  state  paper,  sat  himself  down  at  Pensacola,  and 
indulged  in  the  gratifying  reflection  that  the  promulgation 
of  his  speech  would  remove  the  most  inveterate  obstacles 
in  the  way  of  a  conquest  of  the  United  States,  and  whiled 
away  his  leisure  hours  in  practising  lessons  of  etiquette, 
that  he  might  listen  to  the  supplications  of  the  vanquished 
with  becoming  dignity.  But  our  southern  and  western 
brethren  visited  the  colonel  in  a  manner  less  humble  and 
conciliatory  than  he  had  anticipated  ;  and  it  must  be 
acknowledged  that  he  evinced  a  very  commendable  de 
gree  of  prudence  in  consulting  his  safety  by  a  timely  re 
treat. 

The  operations  of  General  Jackson  in  Florida,  were 
executed  with  his  usual  energy  and  promptitude.  He 
left  Mobile  on  the  3d  November,  arrived  at  Pensacola  on 
the  6th  ;  reduced  it  on  the  7th  ;  accepted  the  surrender  of 
the  Barancas  on  the  8th  ;  and  on  the  9th,  he  commenced 
his  march  for  Mobile,  to  defend  Fort  Bowyer. 


118  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

The  legality  and  justice  of  General  Jackson's  operations 
in  the  Spanish  territory  have  been  questioned,  and,  as 
usual,  he  has  received  a  liberal  share  of  censure  therefor. 
How  deserving  he  is  of  reproach  for  his  conduct  during 
this  expedition,  will,  it  is  believed,  be  readily  perceived, 
on  reverting  to  the  provocations  which  induced  him  to 
carry  his  arms  into  the  Spanish  dominions.  The  blood 
hounds  of  the  Creek  nation,  who  had  spread  devastation 
and  death  among  the  defenceless  borderers  of  our  south 
western  frontier,  till  the  martial  spirit  of  our  soldiers  be 
ing  roused  in  self-defence,  vanquished  them  in  various 
desperate  conflicts,  had  retreated  into  the  Spanish  terri 
tory,  and  were  there  received  with  the  most  officious  kind 
ness  by  the  Spanish  governor.  British  troops  were  not 
only  permitted,  but  encouraged  to  land,  to  fortify  them 
selves,  and  to  distribute  arms  among  these  ferocious 
sons  of  the  forest,  and  instruct  them  in  military  tactics, 
that  they  might  the  more  effectually  wreak  upon  our 
countrymen  their  murderous  vengeance. 

General  Jackson  remonstrated  with  Governor  Manre- 
quez  upon  the  reprehensible  course  he  pursued,  but  with 
no  beneficial  effect ;  he  wrote  to  the  secretary  of  war  for 
instructions,  but,  by  some  unaccountable  delay,  the  an 
swer,  which  bore  date  18th  July,  1814,  was  not  received 
by  General  Jackson  till  17th  January,  1815.  When  re 
ceived,  the  conclusion  of  its  instructions  were  found  to  hold 
the  following  language  :  "  If  all  the  circumstances  stated 
by  you,  unite,  the  conclusion  is  irresistible.  It  becomes 
our  duty  to  carry  our  arms  where  we  find  our  enemies." 
The  momentous  nature  of  the  crisis  induced  General 
Jackson  to  hazard  every  thing  dear  to  him,  and  to  pro 
ceed  upon  his  own  responsibility  to  punish  the  aggres 
sions  of  Spain.  But  in  acting  as  he  supposed  upon  his 
own  responsibility,  he  did  nothing  more,  as  we  have  seen 
by  reference  to  the  instructions  from  the  war  department, 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  119 

than  to  follow  the  very  letter  and  spirit  of  those  instruc 
tions  ;  and  although  he  had  never  received  them  when  he 
made  his  descent  upon  the  combined  forces  of  British, 
Spanish,  and  Indian  troops  at  Pensacola,  yet  they  existed ; 
and  who  can  be  found  so  captious,  as  to  censure  him  for 
anticipating  instructions,  when  those  very  instructions 
were  given,  but  prevented  from  reaching  his  hands  by 
unavoidable  delay. 

This  campaign  of  General  Jackson  has  been  termed 
"  a  wanton  attack  upon  a  neutral  power,  amounting  to  a 
declaration  of  war  with  Spain,  upon  the  authority  of  one 
unauthorized  individual."  Neutral  power,  indeed ;  re 
ceiving  into  her  cities  and  upon  her  coasts  our  deadliest 
foes,  permitting  them,  nay  aiding  them,  to  arm  and  fortify 
themselves  there  for  hostile  operations  upon  us,  and  to 
prepare  themselves  for  a  co-operation  with  Sir  Edward 
Pakenham  in  his  grand  plan  of  attack  upon  New  Orleans, 
which,  if  taken,  would  expose  our  western  frontier  to  the 
ravages  of  the  enemy.  So  far  were  the  important  ser 
vices  of  General  Jackson  in  this  campaign  deserving  from 
rebuke,  that  they  have  received,  and  will  continue  to  re 
ceive,  the  approbation  of  every  patriotic  American,  long 
after  his  censurers  shall  have  been  forgotten. 


120  BIOGRAPHY  OF 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  safety  of  New  Orleans  menaced — General  Jackson 
commences  his  march  for  that  place — Defenceless  situ 
ation  of  Louisiana — Disaffection  among  the  inhabi 
tants — General  Jackson  arrives  at  New  Orleans — 
Despondency  of  the  people — His  exertions  in  their 
behalf- — He  addresses  them,  and  makes  preparations 
for  defence — Defection  of  the  French  population — 
Causes  that  led  to  the  proclamation  of  martial  law 
— General  Jackson  proclaims  it — Defence  of  the 
measure — Arrival  of  reinforcements — Battle  of  the 
twenty-third  of  December — Consequences  resulting 
from  it. 

THE  attention  of  General  Jackson  was  now  directed  to 
New  Orleans,  the  safety  of  which  was  seriously  menaced. 
Notwithstanding  the  negotiations  pending  between  Great 
Britain  and  the  United  States  at  Ghent,  serious  prepara 
tions  were  making  for  the  invasion  of  Louisiana ;  and  it 
became  evident,  that,  as  an  important  preliminary  step, 
the  enemy  would  concentrate  his  whole  force  for  an  at 
tack  upon  New  Orleans,  from  the  possession  of  which  he 
would  derive  incalculable  advantages.  General  Jackson, 
for  a  considerable  length  of  time,  had  been  the  only  gene 
ral  officer  attached  to  the  United  States  army  in  this  dis 
trict.  General  Winchester,  of  the  United  States  army, 
arrived  at  length,  and  General  Jackson  assigned  the  com 
mand  of  the  eastern  section  of  his  district,  and  immediate 
ly  commenced  his  march  for  New  Orleans. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  121 

This  section  of  the  Union  was,  at  this  period,  far  from 
being  in  a  good  state  of  defence.  Louisiana  had  then 
but  just  been  admitted  into  the  Union,  of  which  it  formed 
the  remotest  part.  Its  population  was  thin,  and  a  great 
part  of  it  consisting  of  slaves,  added  nothing  to  its  means 
of  defence  ;  but  required,  on  the  contrary,  a  constant  force 
to  prevent  its  becoming  a  domestic  enemy  of  the  most 
dangerous  kind.  Its  remote  situation,  pressing  dangers 
nearer  the  seat  of  government,  and  other  causes,  had 
caused  it  to  be  left  in  a  state  of  utter  destitution,  and  de 
pendent  for  defence  upon  its  own  resources.  A  country 
accessible  by  numerous  inlets  from  the  sea,  was  left  un 
defended  by  any  fortifications,  except  two  ;  the  principal 
much  dilapidated,  ill  provided,  and  very  inadequately 
garrisoned,  the  other  incapable  of  the  slightest  defence. 
A  few  gun-boats  were  the  only  maritime  defence  for  those 
approaches ;  a  flat-bottomed  frigate,  which  would  have 
proved  effectual  in  the  shallow  waters  that  surrounded  the 
coast,  by  some  extraordinary  policy,  or  culpable  neglect, 
was  left  unfinished.  The  military  force  was  two  incom 
plete  regiments,  a  militia  badly  armed,  and  a  battalion 
of  city  volunteers.  Two  or  three  field  pieces,  and  a  how 
itzer,  formed  their  park  of  artillery,  and  the  arsenal  con 
tained  no  arms  ;  even  the  common  and  necessary  article 
of  flints  was  totally  wanting.  The  magazines  alone  were 
well  provided.  This  was  the  state  of  the  defence  of  Lou 
isiana,  immediately  previous  to  the  month  of  December. 
The  inhabitants  had  been  long  cut  off  from  any  inter 
course  with  the  sea,  by  a  blockading  squadron,  which  it 
was  known  preceded  the  arrival  of  a  formidable  fleet, 
bearing  an  invading  army  of  the  most  imposing  force, 
from  their  number,  their  discipline,  the  excellence  of  their 
appointments,  and  the  reputation  of  the  generals  who 
commanded  them. 

To  add  to  the  difficulties  of  the  Louisianians,  there 
11 


122  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

existed  division  among  them,  not  disaffection,  but  that 
confusion  which  naturally  arises  in  times  of  danger,  when 
there  is  no  head,  or  one  in  which  there  is  no  confidence. 
Committees  of  defence  were  named  by  the  citizens,  exhor 
tations  were  made  to  resist  the  enemy,  and  show  tha.t  the 
insulting  confidence  he  had  expressed  in  the  want  of  at 
tachment  of  a  large  portion  of  the  state  to  the  Union  was 
false.  Funds  were  endeavored  to  be  raised  ;  every  thing 
was  done  to  show  that  the  inhabitants  were  disposed  to 
defend  themselves  and  their  country  ;  but  every  effort 
demonstrated  that,  without  further  aid,  the  struggle  would 
be  ineffectual.  That  aid  at  length  arrived,  in  the  person 
of  General  Jackson. 

*  On  his  arrival,  he  found  the  population  prostrate  with 
fear  and  despondency.  He  comprehended  at  a  glance 
the  difficulties  that  would  obstruct  a  successful  defence  of 
the  country,  and  while  thousands  of  hearts  were  despair 
ing,  he  resolved,  with  his  wonted  decision  and  energy,  to 
surmount  every  obstacle,  and  defend  or  perish  with  his 
countrymen.  He  anticipated  assistance  from  Governors 
Blount  of  Tennessee,  and  Shelby  of  Kentucky,  and  an  aug 
mentation  of  his  force  by  the  gallant  soldiers  of  Mississip 
pi  ;  yet  that  he  should  receive  the  aid  of  these  important 
auxiliaries,  was  uncertain.  From  Governor  Claiborne 
and  Mr.  Edward  Livingston,  he  received  a  hearty  co 
operation  in  his  endeavors  to  organize  the  Louisiana  mi 
litia.  General  Coffee  and  General  Carrol,  the  brave 
men  who  had  fought  by  his  side  in  many  a  desperate  bat 
tle-field,  were  with  him,  and  he  knew  they  were  ready  to 
follow  him  to  victory  or  to  death. 

From  the  first  moment  of  his  arrival,  the  confidence 
of  the  inhabitants  in  him  begat  confidence  in  themselves. 
He  visited  the  forts  ;  he  organized  the  scanty  force  which 
was  placed  under  his  command  ;  he  addressed  to  them  the 
inspiring  language  which  promised  future  victory ;  he  told 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  123 

the  natives  of  the  United  States,  that  the  enemies  they 
were  about  to  contend  with  had  been  the  oppressors  of 
their  infant  political  existence  ;  that  the  men  whom  they 
were  now  to  oppose,  were  the  descendants  of  those  whom 
their  fathers  fought  and  conquered.  He  addressed  the 
descendants  of  Frenchmen,  the  natives  of  France ;  he 
told  them  that  the  English,  who  were  now  the  invaders  of 
the  land  of  their  adoption,  had  ever  been  the  hereditary, 
the  eternal  enemies  of  their  ancient  country.  He  called 
upon  Spaniards  to  remember  the  conduct  of  their  allies  at 
St.  Sebastian  and  Pensacola,  and  rejoice  that  they  had 
found  an  opportunity  of  avenging  the  brutal  injuries  in 
flicted  by  men  who  dishonored  the  human  race. 

To  the  Louisianians,  he  expressed  his  joy  in  witness 
ing  the  spirit  which  animated  them,  not  only  for  their 
honor,  but  their  safety;  and  he  assured  them,  that  for 
whatever  had  been  their  conduct  or  wishes,  his  duty 
would  have  led,  and  still  would  lead  him,  to  confound  the 
citizen  unmindful  of  his  rights,  with  the  enemy  he  ceased 
to  oppose.  But  commanding  men  who  knew  their  rights, 
and  were  determined  to  defend  them,  he  saluted  them  as 
brethren  in  arms  ;  and  that  he  had  now  a  new  motive  to 
exert  all  his  faculties,  which  he  promised  them  should  be 
exerted  to  the  utmost  in  their  defence.  He  exhorted  them 
to  continue  with  the  energy  they  had  begun,  and  assured 
them  not  only  of  safety,  but  victory  over  an  insolent  foe, 
who  had  insulted  them  by  an  affected  doubt  of  their  at 
tachment  to  the  constitution  of  their  country.  Their 
enemy,  he  said,  was  near ;  his  sails  already  covered  the 
lakes  ;  but  the  brave  were  ever  united,  and  if  the  enemy 
found  them  contending  among  themselves,  it  would  be  for 
the  prize  of  valor,  and  fame,  its  noblest  reward. 

He  addressed,  it  is  true,  their  passions  and  prejudices, 
but  above  all,  their  love  of  country  and  of  glory.  He  con 
trasted  the  fearful  consequences  of  defeat,  and  the  shame- 


134  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

ful  results  of  submission,  to  themselves,  to  their  wives, 
their  children,  and  their  country,  with  the  honors  and 
safety  of  the  victory  he  confidently  promised.  He  spoke 
to  the  inhabitants  of  different  origin,  the  language  best 
calculated  to  excite  national  enthusiasm,  and  to  direct  it 
to  the  common  defence. 

This  was  the  great,  the  important  operation.  In 
organizing  this  moral  and  physical  force,  the  foundation 
was  laid  for  the  great  work  which  followed ;  and  it  is 
believed  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  better  materials 
for  these  causes  to  operate  upon,  than  were  furnished  in 
a  majority  of  the  Louisianians.  National  prejudices  were 
converted  into  the  noblest  emulation.  The  sedentary  and 
luxurious  habits  of  a  city  life  were,  with  alacrity,  ex 
changed  for  the  toils  of  service  in  a  most  inclement  sea 
son  ;  independence  of  action,  for  strict  discipline ;  a 
life  of  ease  and  safety,  for  one  of  toil  and  exposure.  A 
post  of  honor  and  of  danger  was  promised  to  the  city 
battalion,  and  a  corps  of  city  riflemen,  the  ranks  of  which 
were  not  then  half  filled  ;  and  instantly  the  names  of  the 
most  respectable  citizens  were  inscribed  on  the  muster- 
rolls.  Nor  was  this  spirit  confined  to  a  particular  corps  ; 
the  body  of  the  militia  were  equally  zealous,  and  never 
calculating  the  difference  of  numbers  or  discipline,  all 
were  found  at  their  posts  when  the  hour  of  conflict  ar 
rived.  But  although  they  were  ready,  yet  their  number 
was  comparatively  small.  Some  were  unarmed,  others 
were  necessarily  posted  with  a  view  to  interior  defence ; 
and  the  nature  of  the  country  called  for  a  dispersion  of 
this  little  force  to  guard  its  numerous  inlets. 

The  French  population  were,  however,  disaffected, 
and  under  the  auspices  of  the  French  consul,  and  out  of 
gratitude  to  the  English  for  the  restoration  of  the  Bour 
bons,  they  discovered  an  "  awful  squinting  at  monarchy," 
and  wholly  refused  to  co-operate  with  the  Louisianians 


ANDREW  JACKSON*  125 

in  defending  their  common  country.  The  disaffection  of 
the  few  is  easily  checked,  when  the  public  functionaries 
discharge  the  duties  devolving  upon  them ;  but  so  far 
were  the  legislative  and  judiciary  powers  of  the  state  from 
calling  in  the  power  of  the  law,  to  check  the  growing 
discontent,  that  in  many  instances  they  encouraged  it  by 
conniving  at  it.  Governor  Claiborne  did  every  thing 
which  a  vigilant  and  patriotic  executive  could  do,  but  a 
majority  of  the  legislature,  nerveless,  timorous,  and  de 
sponding,  hung  upon  him  like  an  incubus,  and  paralyzed 
all  his  exertions.  He  had  frequently  written  to  General 
Jackson ;  in  one  letter,  he  says,  "  On  a  late  occasion  I 
had  the  mortification  to  acknowledge  my  inability  to  meet 
a  requisition  from  General  Flournoy  ;  the  corps  of  this 
city  having  for  the  most  part  resisted  my  orders,  being 
encouraged  in  their  disobedience  by  the  legislature  of  the 
state,  then  in  session ;  one  branch  of  which,  the  senate, 
having  declared  the  requisition  illegal  and  oppressive, 
and  the  house  of  representatives  having  rejected  a  propo 
sition  to  approve  the  measure.  How  far  I  shall  be  sup 
ported  in  my  late  orders,  remains  yet  to  be  proved.  I 
have  reason  to  calculate  upon  the  patriotism  of  the  interior 
and  western  counties.  I  know  also  that  there  are  many 
faithful  citizens  in  New  Orleans ;  but  there  are  others,  in 
whose  attachment  to  the  United  States  I  ought  not  to  con 
fide.  Upon  the  whole,  sir,  I  cannot  disguise  the  fact, 
that  if  Louisiana  should  be  attacked,  we  must  principally 
depend  for  security  upon  the  prompt  movements  of  the 
regular  force  under  your  command,  and  the  militia  of  the 
western  states  and  territories.  At  this  moment  we  are  in  a 
very  unprepared  and  defenceless  condition ;  several  impor 
tant  points  of  defence  remain  unoccupied,  and  in  case  of  a  sud 
den  attack,  this  capital  would,  I  fear,  fall  an  easy  sacrifice." 
In  another  letter,  he  remarks,  "  Inclosed  you  have 
copies  of  my  late  general  orders.  They  may,  and  I  trust 


126  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

will  be  obeyed ;  but  to  this  moment,  my  fellow-citizens 
have  not  manifested  all  that  union  and  zeal  the  crisis  de 
mands,  and  their  own  safety  requires.  There  is  in  this 
city  a  much  greater  spirit  of  disaffection,  than  I  had  anti 
cipated  ;  and  among-  the  faithful  Louisianians,  there  is  a 
despondency  which  palsies  all  my  preparations  ;  they  see 
no  strong-  regular  force,  around  which  they  could  rally 
with  confidence,  and  they  seem,  to  think  themselves  not 
within  the  reach  of  seasonable  assistance,  from  the  west 
ern  states.  I  am  assured,  sir,  you  will  make  the  most 
judicious  disposition  of  the  forces  under  your  command ; 
but  excuse  me  for  suggesting,  that  the  presence  of  the 
seventh  regiment,  at  or  near  New  Orleans,  will  have  the 
most  salutary  effect.  The  garrison  here  at  present,  is 
alarmingly  weak,  and  is  a  cause  of  much  regret :  from 
the  great  mixture  of  persons,  and  characters,  in  this  city, 
we  have  as  much  to  apprehend  from  within  as  from  with 
out.  In  arresting  the  intercourse  between  New  Orleans 
and  Pensacola,  you  have  done  right.  Perisacola  is,  in 
fact,  an  enemy's  post,  and  had  our  commercial  intercourse 
with  it  continued,  the  supplies  furnished  to  the  enemy 
would  have  so  much  exhausted  our  own  stock  of  provi 
sions,  as  to  have  occasioned  the  most  serious  inconvenience 
to  ourselves. 

"  I  was  on  the  point  of  taking  on  myself  the  prohibition 
of  the  trade  with  Pensacola  :  I  had  prepared  a  proclama 
tion  to  that  effect,  and  would  have  issued  it  the  very  day 
I  heard  of  your  interposition.  Enemies  to  the  country, 
may  blame  you  for  your  prompt  and  energetic  measures ; 
but,  in  the  person  of  every  patriot  you  will  find  a  sup 
porter.  I  am  very  confident  of  the  very  lax  police  of  this 
city,  and  indeed,  throughout  the  state,  with  respect  to  the 
visits  of  strangers.  I  think  with  you,  that  our  country  is 
filled  with  spies  and  traitors.  I  have  written  pressingly 
on  the  subject  to  the  city  authorities  and  parish  judges — 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  127 

I  hope  some  efficient  regulations  will  speedily  be  adopted 
by  the  first,  and  more  vigilance  exerted  for  the  future,  by 
the  latter." 

In  a  third  letter,  the  governor  observes — "  The  only 
difficulty  I  have  hitherto  experienced,  in  meeting  the  re 
quisition,  has  been  in  this  city,  and  exclusively  from  some 
European  Frenchmen,  who,  after  giving  their  adhesion 
to  Louis  XVIII.,  have,  through  the  medium  of  the  French 
consul,  claimed  exemption  from  the  drafts,  as  French  sub 
jects.  The  question  of  exemption,  however,  is  now  under 
discussion,  before  a  special  court  of  inquiry,  and  I  am 
not  without  hopes,  that  these  ungrateful  men  may  yet  be 
brought  to  a  discharge  of  their  duties. 

"  You  have  been  informed  of  the  contents  of  an  inter 
cepted  letter,  written  by  Colonel  Coliel,  a  Spanish  officer, 
to  Captain  Morales,  of  Pensacola.  This  letter  was  sub 
mitted  for  the  opinion  of  the  attorney  general  of  the  state, 
as  to  the  measures  to  be  pursued  against  the  writer.  The 
attorney  general  was  of  opinion,  that  the  courts  could  take 
no  cognizance  of  the  same ;  but  that  the  governor  might 
order  the  writer  to  leave  the  state,  and  in  case  of  refusal, 
to  send  him  off  by  force.  I  accordingly,  sir,  ordered  Co 
lonel  Coliel  to  take  his  departure,  in  forty-eight  hours,  for 
Pensacola,  and  gave  him  the  necessary  passports.  I 
hope,  this  measure  may  meet  your  approbation.  It  is  a 
just  retaliation  for  the  conduct  lately  observed  by  the  go 
vernor  of  Pensacola,  and  may  induce  the  Spaniards  resi 
ding  among  us,  to  be  less  communicative  upon  those  sub 
jects  which  relate  to  our  military  movements." 

In  another  letter,  this  patriotic  chief  magistrate  says  to 
General  Jackson,  "  If  Louisiana  is  invaded,  I  shall  put 
myself  at  the  head  of  such  of  my  militia  as  will  follow  me 
to  the  field,  and  on  receiving,  shall  obey  your  orders." 

In  addition  to  this,  Charles  K.  Blanchard,  Esq.,  writes 
to  General  Jackson  thus  :  "  Quartermaster  Peddie,  of  the 


228  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

dramatic  coincidence,  it  came  to  pass  that  the  thirst  for  blood 
having  risen  in  the  breast  of  the  prophet  and  his  warrior 
Himithlimaco,  they  soon  repented  the  rescue  of  Hambly 
and  Doyle,  and  came  to  St.  Marks  in  quest  of  them,  just 
after  they  had  made  their  escape.  With  the  ferocious  per 
severance  of  wolves,  they  pursued  their  flight  along  the 
coast,  hoping  that  weather  or  weariness  would  force  them 
ashore,  and  soon  descried  a  vessel  at  anchor,  with  British 
colors  flying  at  the  mast  head. — After  some  reconnoiter- 
ing  they  went  aboard,  were  conducted  into  the  cabin  where 
they  found  Hambly  and  Doyle,  who  immediately  identi 
fying  them  as  the  murderers  of  Lieutenant  Scott  and  his 
party,  and  their  own  captors  and  tormentors,  they  were 
put  in  irons  by  Lieutenant  M'Keever.  These  circum 
stances  being  all  made  known  to  General  Jackson,  by  a 
mass  of  proof  and  undisputed  notoriety,  in  conformity 
with  the  order  of  the  secretary  of  war  "  to  inflict  exem 
plary  punishment  on  the  authors  of  the  atrocities"  com 
mitted  on  Lieutenant  Scott's  party,  and  Mrs.  Garrett's  fa 
mily,  he  had  them  hung,  in  accordance  with  the  principles 
of  the  law  of  nations,  and  in  obedience  to  the  dictates  of 
humanity,  which  their  atrocities  had  outraged,  and  to 
which  the  terror  and  example  of  their  fate  was  a  just  sa 
crifice,  and  proved  a  salutary  propitiation. 

The  reader  will  see  that  the  only  decoying  was  prac 
ticed  by  Lieutenant  M'Keever,  and  before  he  can  agree  to 
censure  that,  it  must  be  shown  that  our  naval  officers  had 
no  right  to  use  such  stratagems  as  the  officers  of  other 
nations  practice,  although  the  colors  of  all  nations  are  fur 
nished  them  for  this  express  purpose.  These  Indians  were 
taken  by  stratagem  and  surprise  as  Andre  was,  and  like 
that  unfortunate  officer,  who  never  violated  a  feeling  of 
humanity,  they  were  "  slaughtered" — that  is,  they  were 
hung.  In  this  punishment,  as  justice,  humanity,  and  the 
law  of  nations  were  satisfied,  it  is  to  be  observed  that  they 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  229 

being  out  of  the  United  States,  our  own  laws  were  not 
concerned.  Had  they  been  brought  within  our  limits  all 
their  crimes  must  have  gone  unpunished — for  they  had 
not  violated  our  municipal,  or  maritime,  or  martial  laws. 
But  the  law  of  nations  vests  the  right  of  retaliation  in  the 
commanding  general,  and  the  imbecility  or  dishonor  of 
the  Spanish  authorities  having  justified  the  assertion  of 
our  belligerent  rights,  it  was  the  duty  of  General  Jackson 
to  fulfil  the  instructions  of  his  government  and  bring  these 
murderers  to  punishment. 

Let  us  now  come  to  the  case  of  Arbuthnot.  From  the 
recaptured  American  woman,  who  was  the  sole  remain 
ing  survivor  of  Lieutenant  Scott's  party — from  Cook,  his 
clerk — from  Phenix,  his  acquaintance — from  letters  and 
papers  found  in  a  vessel  of  his,  captured  in  the  mouth  of 
the  Suawney,  and  others  obtained  from  the  Indians  by 
our  agent,  it  was  proved  incontestibly  that  "  this  advocate 
for  peace,"  by  misrepresenting  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of 
Ghent — the  conduct  of  the  American  and  the  intentions 
of  the  British  government,  had  incited  in  time  of  peace 
the  Seminole  Indians  to  hostilities  against  the  United 
States.  That  to  aid  those  hostilities,  he  had  applied  in 
behalf  of  the  Indians,  to  various  functionaries  of  Britain 
for  supplies,  and  to  disguise  them  for  protection.  That 
he  had  furnished  them  with  intelligence  and  ammunition, 
for  military  purposes,  and  had  given  them  advice  and  0r- 
ders  in  the  management  of  the  war.  That  he  had  directed 
the  seizure  and  presided  at  the  condemnation  of  Hambly 
and  Doyle  in  consequence  of  their  being  "th«  advocates 
for  peace"  with  the  United  States.  That  he  had  instigated 
and  countenanced  the  massacre  of  Lieutenant  Scott  and 
his  party,  consisting  of  about  forty  American  citizens. 
That  as  an  Indian  chief,  he  had  permitted  our  gallant 
officers  to  be  assassinated,  our  brave  soldiers  to  be  butch 
ered  and  their  helpless  wives  to  be  murdered,  or  with  more 
20 


130  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

the  decisive  step  of  proclaiming  martial  law.  He  knew 
the  responsibility  he  incurred  ;  he  knew  to  what  he  ex 
posed  himself;  and  if  ever  there  was  an  act  of  deliberate 
self-devotion,  it  was  the  one  for  which  he  has  been  re 
proached,  as  an  unjustifiable  assumption  of  powers. 

Had  he  fashioned  his  conduct  to  suit  the  taste  and  win 
the  applause  of  those  who  have  censured  him,  he  might 
have  had  generals  and  attorney  generals,  barristers  and 
merchants  from  the  city,  capering  about  his  lines,  discou 
raging  his  men,  disconcerting  his  measures,  and  scamper 
ing  away  from  the  enemy.  He  chose  rather  to  have  citi 
zen  soldiers,  and  to  make  those  who  owned  the  prize  con 
tended  for,  share  in  the  toil  and  danger  of  its  protection. 
A  rich  and  testy  dealer  in  cotton,  who  looked  as  if  "  but 
for  those  vile  guns  he  would  himself  have  been  a  soldier," 
accosted  the  general,  who  was  piling  up  cotton  bales 
against  Wellington's  invincibles,  and  requested  that  he 
"would  appoint  a  guard  for  his  cotton."  "  Certainly," 
replied  the  general,  "  your  request  shall  be  complied 
with  :  here,  sergeant !  give  this  gentleman  a  musket  and 
ammunition,  and  station  him  in  the  line  of  defence  ;  no 
one  can  be  better  qualified  to  guard  the  cotton,  than  the 
owner  of  it."  Thus  the  dealer  was  dealt  with.  This 
commanding  spirit,  evinced  by  the  cotton  dealer,  and  the 
considerations  to  which  an  allusion  has  been  previously 
made,  and  confirmed  by  the  example  of  other  authorities, 
and  by  the  pressure  of  the  moment,  suggested  to  General 
Jackson  the  prudence  of  comprehending  New  Orleans 
itself  in  his  camp  ;  of  taking  the  city  he  was  to  defend 
under  his  protection.  The  measure  was  discussed  with 
many  eminent  citizens,  and  was  approved  by  others.  It 
was  advised  and  adopted  distinctly  on  the  ground  of  pub 
lic  necessity,  of  which  all  were  convinced,  and  none  even 
now  can  doubt.  If  the  noted  Louallier,  of  whom  we  shall 
have  occasion  hereafter  to  speak,  under  the  influence  of 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  131 

the  royalist  Blanque,  and  the  officious  judge,  (whose  fault 
is  atoned  by  the  fact  that  he  soon  repented  it,  and  he  died 
the  sincere  friend  of  General  Jackson,)  brought  with 
out  necessity  and  upon  a  secondary  principle,  the  civil 
authority  into  collision  with  the  military  power,  \vhen  ex 
erted  from  necessity,  and  for  the  primary  objects  of  the 
constitution,  it  was  no  fault  of  General  Jackson.  It  is 
not  the  first  time  that  enactments,  provided  for  the  liberty 
of  the  citizen,  have  been  found  temporarily  incompatible 
with  the  safety  of  the  state.  Hence  the  well  known  maxim 
of  the  civil  law — Inter  arma  silent  leges.  It  is  not  the 
only  conflict  that  has  or  can  be  found  between  separate 
provisions,  or  between  the  end  or  details  of  our  constitu 
tion.  Treaties,  when  approved  by  the  senate  and  ratified 
by  the  president,  are  declared  to  be  the  supreme  laws  of 
the  land,  and  yet  the  house  of  representatives  claim,  and 
justly  too,  the  right  of  disregarding  this  supreme  law, 
and  of  interposing  their  power  over  the  bills  of  revenue. 
The  right  of  property  is  secure  under  the  constitution, 
and  yet  in  certain  cases  a  military  officer  may  seize  the 
means  of  subsistence  or  of  transportation,  leaving  only  a 
fair  compensation  to  the  owner,  on  the  just  ground  of  ne 
cessity.  The  trial  by  jury  is  the  birthright  of  the  citi 
zen,  and  a  dearer  right  than  that  secured  by  the  habeas 
corpus,  and  yet  the  judicial  powrer  sets  this  right  at  defi 
ance,  and  punishes  for  contempt,  without  the  intervention 
of  a  jury,  upon  the  ground  of  legal  necessity.  In  viola 
tion  of  the  same  right,  our  legislative  bodies  punish  ar 
bitrarily  any  citizen  who  may  attempt  an  abuse  of  their 
dignity  or  privileges.  The  truth  is,  these  anomalies  must 
be  tolerated  even  in  our  fair  and  effective  system,  on  the 
ground  of  necessity.  They  are  essential  to  the  principles 
they  seem  to  oppose.  The  inconsistency  of  military 
power  with  the  spirit  of  our  institutions,  arises  from 
the  nature  of  thing's — not  from  the  character  of  this  or 


132  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

that  commander — from  the  opposite  characters  of  peace 
and  war,  and  the  adverse  dispositions  of  mind  on  which 
the  conditions  of  society  are  founded.  Force  is  the  prin 
ciple  of  war — equity  the  spirit  of  peace.  These  two  ele 
ments,  however,  elaborated  by  civilization,  or  ramified 
into  consequences,  cannot  be  divested  of  their  original 
discordance.  The  prudence  of  our  magistrates,  and  the 
patriotism  of  our  citizens,  have  in  most  instances  prevent 
ed  their  collision.  Every  thing  considered,  General  Jack 
son  was  persuaded  that  the  country  would  be  lost,  unless 
he  sacrificed  himself,  and  risked  what  he  valued  infinitely 
more  than  life — risked  his  reputation  for  patriotism,  and 
regard  to  the  constitution  of  his  country,  for  its  preserva 
tion.  He  did  this  deliberately.  He  knew  the  risk  ;  God 
knew  his  purpose,  and  his  own  conscience  approved  it. 

Having  taken  this  important  step,  General  Jackson 
incessantly  engaged  himself  in  erecting  fortifications,  and 
disciplining  his  soldiers  for  defence.  Fort  St.  Philips  was 
selected  as  an  eligible  position,  and  Major  Overton  was 
appointed  to  the  command  of  it.  The  naval  force  near 
New  Orleans,  consisted  of  small  gun- vessels,  under  the 
command  of  Captain  Patterson. 

On  the  21st  of  December,  General  Coffee  arrived  with 
thirteen  hundred  Tennesseans  ;  and  about  the  same  time 
Colonel  Hinds  came  with  a  hundred  and  eighty  of  the 
Mississippi  dragoons,  and  was  soon  followed  by  General 
Carroll  with  the  remainder  of  the  reinforcements  from 
Tennessee.  These  brave  men  had  marched  a  distance  of 
eight  hundred  miles  under  the  endurance  of  privations 
and  hardships,  which  they  met  with  a  spirit  of  fortitude 
that  redounded  to  their  immortal  honor,  and  gave  an  ear 
nest  of  future  success.  The  Kentucky  troops,  raised  by 
the  order  of  Governor  Shelby,  and  commanded  by  General 
Thomas,  had  not  yet  arrived. 

At  length  the  storm  which  had  been  gathering,  and 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  133 

of  which  General  Jackson  and  his  little  band  had  calm 
ly  awaited  the  approach,  burst  over  them.  The  little  na 
val  force  at  New  Orleans  after  a  most  gallant  defence,  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  facilitated  their  opera 
tions  ;  an  outpost,  which  guarded  one  of  the  principal 
inlets,  was  surprised,  and  advancing  through  an  uninha 
bited  and  uninhabitable  country,  the  enemy  was  within 
seven  miles  of  the  city,  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  before 
he  was  discovered.  This  was  at  two  o'clock  in  the  af 
ternoon  of  the  23d  December,  one  of  the  shortest  days  in 
the  year.  All  the  disposable  force  from  different  points 
was  immediately  collected.  Before  the  sun  had  set,  fif 
teen  hundred  men,  the  greater  part  of  whom  were  militia, 
some  of  whom  were  armed  only  with  pikes,  were  on  their 
march,  with  a  perfect  knowledge  that  they  were  about  to 
attack,  in  the  open  field,  three  times  their  number,  of  the 
best  disciplined,  the  best  appointed  troops  in  the  world. 
They  advanced  as  gaily,  and  cheerfully,  as  if  they  were 
going  to  a  convivial  feast,  and  before  it  was  well  night,  they 
were  in  the  midst  of  the  enemy's  camp.  The  remains  of 
the  gallant  little  navy,  a  single  schooner,  under  the  brave 
Patterson,  who  himself  took  command  of  this  small  force, 
poured  destruction  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.  This 
was  the  signal  of  attack  for  the  army  on  land. 

The  following  is  a  description  of  the  battle,  as  detailed 
to  James  Monroe  by  General  Jackson : 

The  loss  of  our  gun-boats  near  the  pass  of  the  Rigolets, 
having  given  the  enemy  command  of  Lake  Borgne,  he 
was  enabled  to  chose  his  point  of  attack.  It  became  there- 
fore  an  object  of  importance,  to  obstruct  the  numerous 
bayous  and  canals,  leading  from  that  lake  to  the  highlands 
on  the  Mississippi.  This  important  service  was  commit 
ted,  in  the  first  instance,  to  a  detachment  of  the  seventh 
regiment,  afterwards  to  Col.  De  Laronde,  of  the  Louisi 
ana  militia,  and  lastly,  to  make  all  sure,  to  Mai.  Gen.  Vil- 
12 


134  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

lere,  commanding  the  district  between  the  river  and  the 
lakes,  and  who  being  a  native  of  the  country,  was  pre 
sumed  to  be  best  acquainted  with  all  those  passes.  Un 
fortunately,  however,  a  picquet  which  the  general  had  es 
tablished  at  the  mouth  of  the  Bayou  Bienvenue,  and  which, 
notwithstanding  my  orders,  had  been  left  unobstructed, 
was  completely  surprised,  and  the  enemy  penetrated 
through  a  canal  leading  to  his  farm,  about  two  leagues 
below  the  city,  and  succeeded  in  cutting  off  a  company  of 
militia  stationed  there.  This  intelligence  was  communi 
cated  to  me  about  twelve  o'clock  of  the  twenty-third.  My 
force,  at  this  time,  consisted  of  parts  of  the  seventh  and 
forty-fourth  regiments,  not  exceeding  six  hundred  together, 
the  city  militia,  a  part  of  General  Coffee's  brigade  of 
mounted  gunmen,  and  the  detached  militia  from  the  west 
ern  division  of  Tennessee,  under  the  command  of  Maj. 
Gen.  Carroll.  These  two  last  corps  were  stationed  four 
miles  above  the  city.  Apprehending  a  double  attack  by 
the  way  of  Chief-Menteur,  I  left  General  Carroll's  force 
and  the  militia  of  the  city  posted  on  the  Gentilly  road  ; 
and  at  five  o'clock  P.  M.  marched  to  meet  the  enemy, 
whom  I  was  resolved  to  attack  in  his  first  position,  with 
Major  Hinds'  dragoons,  General  Coffee's  brigade,  parts 
of  the  seventh  .and  forty-fourth  regiments,  the  uniformed 
companies  of  militia,  under  the  command  of  Major  Planche, 
two  hundred  men  of  color,  chiefly  from  St.  Domingo, 
raised  by  Colonel  Savery,  and  acting  under  the  command 
of  Major  Dagwin,  and  a  detachment  of  artillery  under 
the  direction  of  Colonel  M'Rhea,  with  two  six  pounders, 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Spotts  ;  not  exceeding, 
in  all,  fifteen  hundred.  I  arrived  near  the  enemy's  en 
campment  about  seven,  and  immediately  made  my  dispo 
sitions  for  the  attack.  His  forces,  amounting  at  that  time 
on  land  to  about  three  thousand,  extended  half  a  mile  on 
that  river,  and  in  the  rear  nearly  to  the  wood.  General 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  136 

Coffee  was  ordered  to  turn  their  right,  while  with  the  re 
sidue  of  the  force,  I  attacked  his  strongest  position  on  the 
left,  near  the  river.  Commodore  Patterson,  having  dropped 
down  the  river  in  the  schooner  Caroline,  was  directed 
to  open  fire  a  upon  their  camp,  which  he  executed  at 
about  half  past  seven.  This  being  a  signal  of  attack, 
General  Coffee's  men,  with  their  usual  impetuosity,  rush 
ed  on  the  enemy's  right,  and  entered  their  camp,  while 
our  right  advanced  with  equal  ardor.  There  can  be  but 
little  doubt,  that  we  should  have  succeeded  on  that  occa 
sion,  with  our  inferior  force,  in  destroying  or  capturing 
the  enemy,  had  not  a  thick  fog,  which  arose  about  eight 
o'clock,  occasioned  some  confusion  among  the  different 
corps.  Fearing  the  consequence,  under  this  circum 
stance,  of  the  further  prosecution  of  a  night  attack,  with 
troops  then  acting  together  for  the  first  time,  I  contented 
myself  with  lying  on  the  field  that  night ;  and  at  four  in 
the  morning  assumed  a  stronger  position,  about  two  miles 
nearer  the  city.  At  this  position  I  remained  encamped, 
waiting  the  arrival  of  the  Kentucky  militia  and  other  re 
inforcements.  As  the  safety  of  the  city  will  depend  on 
the  fate  of  this  army,  it  must  not  be  incautiously  exposed. 
In  this  affair  the  whole  corps  under  my  command  de 
serve  the  greatest  credit.  The  best  compliment  I  can  pay 
to  General  Coffee  and  his  brigade,  is  to  say,  they  have 
behaved  as  they  have  always  done,  while  under  my  com 
mand.  The  seventh,  led  by  Major  Pierre,  and  forty- 
fourth,  commanded  by  Colonel  Ross,  distinguished  them 
selves.  The  battalion  of  city  militia,  commanded  by  Major 
Planche,  realized  my  anticipations,  and  behaved  like  ve 
terans.  Savary's  volunteers  manifested  great  bravery ; 
and  the  company  of  city  riflemen,  having  penetrated  into 
the  midst  of  the  enemy's  camp,  were  surrounded,  and 
fought  their  way  out  with  the  greatest  heroism,  bring 
ing  with  them  a  number  of  prisoners.  The  two  field- 


I36>  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

pieces  were  well  served  by  the  officers  commanding 
them. 

All  my  officers  in  the  line  did  their  duty,  and  I  have 
every  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  the  whole  of  my  field 
and  staff.  Colonels  Butler  and  Platt,  and  Major  Chotard, 
by  their  intrepidity,  saved  the  artillery.  Colonel  Haynes 
was  every  where  that  duty  or  danger  called.  I  was  de 
prived  of  the  services  of  one  of  my  aids,  Captain  Butler, 
whom  I  was  obliged  to  station,  to  his  great  regret,  in  town. 
Captain  Reid,  my  other  aid,  and  Messrs.  Livingston,  Du- 
plissis,  and  Davizac,  who  had  volunteered  their  services, 
faced  danger  wherever  it  was  to  be  met,  and  carried  my 
orders  with  the  utmost  promptitude. 

We  made  one  major,  two  subalterns,  and  sixty-three 
privates,  prisoners ;  and  the  enemy's  loss,  in  killed  and 

wounded,  must  have  been  at  least .  My  own  loss  I 

have  not  as  yet  been  able  to  ascertain  with  exactness,  but 
suppose  it  to  amount  to  one  hundred  in  killed,  wounded,  and 
missing.  Among  the  former,  I  have  to  lament  the  loss  of 
Colonel  Lauderdale,  of  General  Coffee's  brigade,  who 
fell  while  bravely  fighting.  Cols.  Dyer  and  Gibson,  of 
the  same  corps,  were  wounded,  and  Major  Kavenaugh 
taken  prisoner. 

Col.  De  Laronde,  Major  Villere,  of  the  Louisiana  mi 
litia,  Major  Latour,  of  engineers,  having  no  command, 
volunteered  their  services,  as  did  Drs.  Kerr  and  Hood, 
and  were  of  great  assistance  to  me. 

This  master-stroke  of  energy  and  decision,  in  its  con 
sequences,  saved  the  country,  and  led  to  the  more  impor 
tant  result  which  closed  this  glorious  campaign.  None 
but  such  a  leader  would  have  planned  such  an  attack  ; 
none  but  such  troops  would  have  enabled  him  to  execute 
it  with  success.  This  fought  the  enemy  to  respect  the 
courage  of  our  troops  ;  it  led  him  to  overrate  our  num 
bers  ;  and  made  him  wait  for  his  decisive  attack,  until 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  137 

the  position  so  judiciously  chosen  for  the  action,  was  placed 
in  a  sufficient  state  of  defence,  to  become  the  theatre  of  a 
future  and  signal  victory.  It  was  a  most  encouraging 
example  for  those  who  love  the  institutions  of  our  coun 
try.  If  three  thousand  three  hundred  men,  with  no 
other  discipline  than  a  few  weeks  could  produce,  in  the 
simplest  line  of  defence  that  the  art  of  fortification  knows, 
could  prove  themselves  an  over  match  for  four  times  their 
number  of  the  best  troops  in  the  world,  used  to  conquest, 
well  appointed,  and  led  by  experienced  officers  :  to  what 
can  we  attribute  it,  but  to  that  moral  force  which  is  in 
spired  by  love  of  country,  and  by  that  alone  ?  And  it  will 
be  found  that  from  Thermopylae  to  Morad,  those  asto 
nishing  efforts  in  which  troops  without  discipline  have 
successfully  contended  against  superior  numbers,  have 
been  made  in  defence  of  liberty.* 

*  Livingston's  Address. 
12* 


136  BIOGRAPHY  OF 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Effects  of  the  battle  of  the  twenty-third — Ladies  oj 
New  Orleans — Their  patriotic  exertions — American 
lines  of  defence — General  Jackson's-  exertions — Loss 
of  the  schooner  Caroline — Battle  of  the  2Stk  Decem 
ber — Battle  of  the  1st  January — Repulsion  of  the 
enemy  on  that  occasion — Sir  Edward  Packenham — 
Discoveries  made  by  time. 

The  result  of  the  battle  of  the  twenty-third  Decem 
ber,  though  not  decisive,  produced  the  happiest  effects. 
It  animated  the  inhabitants,  and  encouraged  them  to  pro 
secute  with  still  greater  vigor  the  measures  of  defence. 
Nothing  could  exceed  the  ardor  with  which  it  inspired 
the  army  of  General  Jackson.  His  soldiers  obeyed  his 
orders  with  the  utmost  alacrity  and  promptitude,  and  held 
themselves  in  readiness,  at  a  moment's  warning,  to  face 
again  their  invaders,  and  add  fresh  laurels  to  those  they 
had  already  won. 

The  patriotic  exertions  of  the  ladies  of  New  Orleans 
to  render  every  assistance  in  their  power  to  the  besieged, 
do  honor  to  their  sex.  The  modest,  unobtruding,  virtues 
and  excellencies  of  woman,  are  too  often  forgotten,  in 
times  of  peril  and  danger.  Man's  aims  are  ambitious 
and  aspiring ;  he  seeks  his  enemy  in  the  battle-field,  and 
by  deeds  of  desperate  daring,  in  many  a  fierce  encounter, 
acquires  a  name  that  will  live  till  the  end  of  time.  But 
woman  acts  in  a  different  sphere  ;  hers  is  the  task  of 
soothing  the  wounded  spirit ;  of  binding  up  the  broken 
heart.  There  is  a  point  of  time  in  the  life  of  every  man, 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  139 

however  lofty  may  have  been  his  aspirations,  or  towering 
his  hopes,  when  the  world  and  all  its  seductive  pageantry- 
pall  upon  his  spirit — when  the  plaudits  of  the  multitude 
fall  tuneless  upon  his  ear  ;  it  is  in  the  hour  of  nature's 
agonizing  conflict  with  dissolution  ;  then  it  is  that  wo 
man's  excellences  are  called  into  exercise ;  then  her 
enduring  virtues — her  watchful  vigils — her  ceaseless 
solicitudes — her  untiring  patience,  and  ever  watchful  sym 
pathies,  are  felt  and  acknowledged ;  and  although  her 
name  may  not  be  trumpeted  by  the  clarion  of  fame 
throughout  the  universe,  or  encircled  in  the  halo  of  glory 
that  illumines  the  pathway  of  the  conqueror,  yet  she 
reaps  a  rich  reward  from  the  gratitude,  the  blessings,  and 
benedictions  of  thousands  of  the  children  of  misery  and 
misfortune,  who  have  been  made  the  recipients  of  her 
soothing  kindnesses,  and  bountiful  benefactions.  The 
ladies  of  New  Orleans  admirably  sustained  those  virtues 
which  do  honor  to  their  sex.  With  their  own  hands  they 
manufactured  clothing  for  distribution  among  their  brave 
defenders,  and  the  sick  and  \vounded  received  from  them 
those  soothing  attentions  and  kindnesses  which  are  so 
peculiarly  acceptable  to  the  debilitated  and  war-worn 
soldier.  The  hospitals  were  abundantly  supplied  with  all 
attainable  comforts ;  the  nunnery  was  converted  into  an 
extra  hospital  for  the  wounded,  and  the  surgeons  and  phy 
sicians  exerted  themselves  without  fee  or  reward. 

After  the  battle  of  the  23d,  General  Jackson  encamped 
his  army  near  the  field  of  battle,  intending  in  the  morning1 
to  renew  the  engagement.  But  the  disadvantages  of  his 
situation,  and  the  numerical  superiority  of  the  enemy, 
induced  him  to  change  his  plan. 

It  has  already  been  mentioned,  that  the  gun-boats, 
commanded  by  Lieutenant  Jones,  were  captured  upon  the 
14th,  and  the  commander  severely  wounded.  His  force 
consisted  of  a  few  gun-boats,  the  whole  mounting  twenty- 


140  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

three  guns,  and  having  one  hundred  and  eighty-three  men 
on  board.  The  British  force  that  attacked  this  little  gal 
lant  flotilla,  consisted  of  forty-five  boats,  forty-two  guns, 
and  twelve  hundred  men,  commanded  by  Captain  Lock- 
yer,  whose  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  exceeded  three 
hundred  men  ;  and  he  received  three  severe  wounds  him 
self.  Upon  Lieutenant  Jones,  Captain  Patterson  bestows 
the  highest  applause,  and  most  deservedly  too ;  for  con 
sidering  the  species  of  force  he  had  under  his  command, 
and  the  great  superiority  of  the  enemy,  his  gallantry  is 
scarcely  exceeded  by  any  officer  in  our  navy. 

The  various  passes  at  the  mouth  of  the  Mississippi 
were  guarded  in  the  best  possible  manner,  by  different 
forts  ;  and  considering  the  short  time  allowed  to  construct 
them,  and  the  few  men  only  who  could  be  spared  to  gar 
rison  them,  their  defences  entitle  the  garrisons  to  the 
highest  applause.  Major  Overton,  at  Fort  St.  Philips, 
determining  never  to  surrender,  nailed  the  American  flag 
to  his  standard,  and  resolved  that  it  should  triumphantly 
wave  over  that  of  Britain,  as  long  as  a  living  man  re 
mained  in  the  fort  to  defend  it.  The  troops  at  the  mouths 
of  the  river,  were  as  much  inspired  with  fortitude  by  the 
addresses  and  examples  of  General  Jackson,  as  those 
under  his  immediate  command.  Having  these  forts,  as 
well  as  the  current  of  the  Mississippi  to  oppose,  the  British 
admiral  was  prevented  from  bringing  any  of  his  larger 
vessels,  to  co-operate  with  the  land  forces,  in  their  various 
attacks  upon  the  American  lines.  Had  he  been  enabled 
to  effect  this,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive  how  the  city  could 
have  been  saved. 

On  the  24th,  General  Jackson  took  his  final  position. 
It  extended  in  a  direct  line  from  the  east  bank  of  the  Mis 
sissippi,  into  the  edge  of  the  Cypress  Swamp,  a  distance 
exceeding  a  mile.  For  the  whole  distance,  the  troops 
almost  incessantly  labored,  and  with  a  vigor  worthy  of  the 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  141 

cause  that  called  forth  their  laborious  exertions,  in  throw 
ing  up  a  strong  breastwork,  under  the  protection  of 
which  they  were  to  be  intrenched.  From  the  bank  of 
the  river  to  the  edge  of  the  Cypress  Swamp,  a  distance  of 
very  near  a  mile,  the  country  was  a  perfect  plain.  The 
small  force  under  General  Jackson  were  in  full  view  of 
the  greatly  superior  force  in  the  British  camp.  Although 
they  had  received  a  check  in  the  brilliant  affair  of  the  23d, 
it  would  seem  to  be  the  result  of  infatuation  itself,  that  they 
remained  unmoved  spectators  of  the  measures  of  defence 
the  American  commander  was  taking,  which,  if  prosecuted 
to  completion,  would  render  them  hopeless  of  success. 

Adjoining  the  river,  and  in  advance  of  the  main  work, 
a  redoubt  was  formed  to  protect  the  right  wing  of  the 
army,  upon  which  were  mounted  a  number  of  pieces  of 
heavy  artillery.  Through  the  whole  line  were  mounted, 
at  proper  distances,  cannon  from  six  to  thirty -two  pound 
ers.  The  breastwork  was  extended  from  four  hundred 
and  fifty  to  five  hundred  yards  into  the  swamp,  to  prevent 
the  enemy  from  turning  the  left  wing  of  the  army.  This 
part  of  the  intrenchment,  was  constructed  with  extreme 
difficulty,  and  with  excessive  fatigue  ;  being  erected  in  a 
morass,  almost  impassable  from  the  depth  of  the  mud  and 
water.  It  was  wisely  supposed  that  the  British  com 
mander  would  conclude  that  the  American  intrenchment 
reached  only  to  the  edge  of  the  swamp  ;  and  that  he  would 
endeavor  to  force  a  passage  through  it,  and  gain  the  rear 
of  the  American  army.  At  the  immediate  edge  of  the 
swamp,  an  angular  indent  was  made  in  the  intrenchment, 
upon  which  heavy  pieces  of  artillery  were  placed  so  as  to 
rake  the  enemy  in  the  swamp,  from  one  side  of  it,  and  in 
the  open  field,  from  the  other.  Every  hour's  labor  in 
creased  the  strength  of  the  intrenchment,  and  every  event 
that  transpired,  augmented  the  confidence  of  the  troops. 
Notwithstanding  the  rapidly  increasing  security  of  his 


142  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

small,  and  to  a  very  considerable  amount  unarmed  troops, 
General  Jackson  endeavored  to  provide  against  every 
event  that  could  endang'er  their  safety,  or  that  of  the  city. 
Admitting  the  possibility  that  the  British  army,  from  their 
great  superiority  in  numbers,  and  from  the  numerous 
pieces  of  heavy  ordnance  they  were  constantly  transport 
ing  in  barges,  from  their  shipping  to  their  encampment, 
might  force  his  lines,  he  dispatched  the  whole  of  his  un 
armed  men  two  miles  in  his  rear,  to  erect  another  breast 
work,  as  a  rallying  point,  at  no  great  distance  from  the 
city.  In  this  way,  he  furnished  constant  employ  for  all 
his  men,  prevented  their  despondency,  and  aroused  their 
courage.  - '^\v 

General  Jackson  was  aware  that  the  enemy's  main 
army  had  not  yet  (December  24)  landed,  and  wholly 
uncertain  where  they  would  make  a  descent,  he  took  the 
same  measures  to  fortify  the  country  on  the  west,  or  right 
bank  of  the  river,  as  he  had  upon  the  east,  or  left  bank. 
An  intrenchment  was  there  thrown  up  from  the  bank  of 
the  river,  extending  west  to  a  swamp,  which  approaches 
nearer  to  the  river  than  that  upon  the  east  side.  Governor 
Claiborne  and  the  Louisiana  militia,  being  more  perfectly 
acquainted  with  the  country,  were  stationed  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  river.  Captain  Patterson  and  his  crew  had 
erected  a  battery  near  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  to  the 
main  intrenchment.  This  intrenchment  was  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  below  that  on  the  left  bank  ;  and  being 
supported  by  Patterson's  battery  and  his  crew,  whose 
skill  in  gunnery  was  evinced  in  the  battle  of  the  23d,  it 
was  supposed  as  capable  of  sustaining  and  repelling  an 
assault  as  that  on  the  left.  The  command  of  the  right 
bank  of  the  river,  was  intrusted  to  General  Morgan,  and 
a  force  placed  under  his  command  sufficient  to  render  it 
as  secure  as  the  left. 

General  Jackson  made  the  most  unwearied  exertions 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  143 

in  strengthening  this  important  position  ;  and  his  industry, 
perseverance,  and  fortitude,  set  before  his  soldiers  a  noble 
example,  which  proved  most  happy  in  its  results.  On 
the  27th,  his  line  of  defence  was  completed ;  and  from 
its  commencement  till  that  time,  he  allowed  himself 
neither  sleep  nor  relaxation  from  toil.  The  activity, 
patience,  and  spirit,  of  his  troops,  who  kept  their  wet,  un 
wholesome  ground,  at  this  inclement  season,  and  labored 
with  such  incessant  zeal  till  the  completion  of  the  fortifi 
cations,  is  above  all  praise.  The  schooner  Caroline,  after 
the  battle  of  the  23d,  had  kept  her  position  opposite  the 
British  encampment.  Her  commander,  Commodore  Pat 
terson,  could  have  left  his  dangerous  position,  by  dropping 
down  below  ;  but  he  could  not  think  of  depriving  the 
army  of  her  assistance  in  case  of  an  attack.  He  therefore 
waited  for  a  wind  to  take  her  up  to  the  American  line  of 
defence.  On  the  morning  of  the  27th,  the  enemy,  from 
a  land  battery  which  had  been  thrown  up  the  previous 
night,  opened  a  fire  upon  her  with  red-hot  shot.  They 
soon  succeeded  in  firing  her,  which  compelled  the  crew 
to  abandon  her  ;  and  scarcely  had  they  time  to  reach  the 
shore,  before  she  blew  up. 

Emboldened  by  this  event,  the  enemy  put  his  forces  in 
motion  in  order  to  storm  the  American  works.  With  a 
view  of  driving  our  troops  from  their  position,  the  British 
forces,  at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile,  opened  upon  them  a 
copious  shower  of  shot,  bombs,  and  rockets.  While  their 
artillery  were  thus  employed,  their  columns  moved  in 
order  of  battle,  till  our  batteries  opened  upon  them  a 
destructive  cannonade,  which  compelled  them  to  retreat 
with  a  loss  of  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  killed  ;  while 
the  loss  sustained  by  the  Americans  did  not  exceed 
twenty-five  in  killed  and  wounded. 

Considerable  skirmishing  took  place,  after  this  affair, 
between  the  pickets,  but  no  serious  engagement  was  im 
mediately  commenced. 


144  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

It  was  a  subject  of  regret  to  General  Jackson,  that 
he  had  not,  at  this  time,  the  means  of  carrying  on  more 
offensive  operations ;  the  troops  from  Kentucky  had  not 
arrived,  and  his  effective  force  at  this  point  did  not  exceed 
three  thousand.  The  force  of  the  enemy  must  at  least 
have  been  twice  the  number  of  ours,  as  prisoners  and  de 
serters  agreed  in  the  statement  that  seven  thousand  landed 
from  their  boats. 

These  unsuccessful  essays  of  the  enemy,  were  far  from 
affording  him  the  satisfaction  he  had  anticipated  from  an 
easy  victory.  The  British  forces  were  not  deterred,  how 
ever,  from  making  every  effort  in  their  power  to  augment 
their  force,  and  strengthen  their  position,  by  transporting 
their  heavy  artillery  from  their  shipping  to  their  lines  ; 
nor  were  the  Americans  less  assiduously  engaged  in  pre 
paring  themselves  for  a  gallant  reception  of  their  foes, 
however  imposing  and  formidable  might  be  the  method  of 
their  visit. 

On  the  first  of  January,  the  British  forces  placed  them 
selves  in  a  hostile  attitude,  pushed  forward  their  heavy 
artillery,  commencing  at  the  same  time  an  attack  with 
bombs  and  rockets  upon  the  whole  American  line,  from 
the  Cypress  Swamp  to  the  Mississippi.  The  charge 
was  returned  with  much  gallantry  and  spirit  by  the  Ameri 
can  troops  ;  the  musketeers  and  riflemen,  together  with 
the  artillery  planted  upon  the  intrenchments,  opened  upon 
them  a  flood  of  death,  and  the  battle  raged  till  the  approach 
of  darkness  put  an  end  to  the  conflict,  and  induced  the 
British  assailants  to  retire  to  their  lines. 

Great  loss  was  sustained  by  the  en  my  in  this  conflict, 
the  number  of  which  could  not  be  ascertained,  as  their 
dead  were  carried  from  the  field.  The  American  loss 
was  eleven  killed  and  twenty-three  wounded. 

Despairing  of  ultimate  success  in  their  attack  upon  the 
whole  line,  the  enemy,  in  the  course  of  the  night,  erected 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  145 

a  battery  on  the  margin  of  the  morass,  for  the  purpose  of 
turning-  the  left  wing  of  our  army.  They  had  much  con 
fidence  in  the  successful  result  of  this  plan  of  operation  : 
but  the  sun,  which  dissipated  the  fog  the  following  morn 
ing,  discovered  to  them,  also,  the  futility  of  their  hopes. 
To  their  astonishment,  they  found  the  American  intrench- 
ment  completed  three  hundred  yards  beyond  their  battery 
in  the  morass,  and  General  Coffee,  with  his  brave  Ten- 
nesseans,  ready  to  give  them  an  unwelcome  reception. 
They  opened  upon  our  troops  with  their  eighteen  pound 
ers,  but  the  return  fire  from  our  lines,  poured  upon  them 
with  a  most  destructive  effect.  The  battle  raged  till  the 
enemy,  no  longer  able  to  sustain  the  fire  of  our  batteries, 
discontinued  the  contest  in  much  confusion. 

On  the  following  morning,  General  Jackson  ordered  a 
sortie  of  four  hundred  men,  two  hundred  of  whom  were 
mounted,  to  reconnoitre  their  camp  ;  and  by  them  it  was 
ascertained,  that  their  artillery  had  been  dismounted  by 
our  guns;  that  they  had  been  carried  off;  that  they  had 
razed  their  redoubts,  and  had  retreated  on  their  first  lines 
towards  Lake  Bienvenue. 

These  repeatedly  unsuccessful  attempts  of  Sir  Edward 
Packenham,  to  storm  the  American  lines,  and  reduce  the 
city  of  New  Orleans  by  a  coup  de  main,  brought  at 
length  to  his  mind  the  unwelcome  conviction,  that  to  meet 
and  vanquish  our  armies  in  the  field  ;  to  capture  our  cities ; 
to  plunder  them  of  their  "  beauty  and  booty,"  for  the 
gratification  of  the  avarice  and  licentiousness  of  his  sol 
diers  ;  to  plant  there  the  standard  of  his  nation,  and 
extend  over  our  countrymen  the  sceptre  of  its  power,  were 
matters  that  could  not  be  performed  as  the  pastime  of  an 
idle  hour ;  not  things  that  could  be  done  or  left  undone, 
as  the  good  will  and  pleasure  of  him  or  his  sovereign 
master  should  dictate.  He  was,  however,  a  brave  man, 
and  resolved  not  to  despair,  but  concentrate  his  forces, 
13 


146  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

and  by  one  powerful  effort  to  accomplish  the  object  of  his 
expedition,  by  defeating  the  American  army,  and  destroy 
ing  New  Orleans  ;  thus  fulfilling  the  expectations  of  his 
countrymen,  and  winning  for  himself  another  and  a 
greener  wreath  of  laurel.  Of  the  success  of  his  opera 
tions,  we  shall  soon  have  occasion  to  remark. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  147 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Belligerent  preparations — Arrival  of  Kentucky  rein 
forcements — Operations  of  General  Pakenham — 
Advances  upon  the  American  works — BA  TTLE  OF 
NEW  ORLEANS— Result  of  the  battle— Retreat 
of  the  army — Fort  St.  Philips — Major  Overtones 
gallant  defence  of  it — Consequences  of  the  victory  of 
New  Orleans — General  Jackson  addresses  his  sol~ 
diers. 

THE  notes  of  preparation  were  now  every  where  heard 
along  the  lines  of  the  belligerent  armies,  which  indicated 
the  approach  of  a  bloody  encounter.  Sir  Edward  Paken 
ham,  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  British  forces  at  New 
Orleans,  had  many  powerful  motives  that  urged  him  to 
risk  a  decisive  battle.  It  is  true,  he  was  not  upon  his 
own  native  soil,  struggling  for  the  preservation  of  his 
country's  liberty  and  honor  ;  for  the  safety  of  his  family, 
his  friends,  his  fireside,  and  home  ;  his  arm  was  not 
raised  to  check  high-handed  oppression,  or  crush  a  tyrant 
who  trampled  with  impunity  upon  the  lives  and  privileges 
of  his  subjects ;  but  he  was  a  veteran  who  had  acquired 
much  reputation  by  his  prowess  on  the  bloody  battle 
fields  of  Europe ;  he  was  a  favorite  and  distinguished 
officer  under  Wellington,  and  shared  in  the  honors  which 
were  lavished  upon  those  who  had  been  instrumental  in 
completing  the  wreck  of  the  fallen  fortunes  of  the  most 
consummate  general  that  the  world  ever  saw :  he  knew 
that  for  these  considerations  his  government  had  placed 


148  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

an  army  of  fifteen  thousand  of  the  best  disciplined  troops, 
most  of  whom  had  been  his  former  companions  in  glory, 
under  his  command,  and  intrusted  to  him  the  care  of  this 
expedition  against  New  Orleans,  and  that  they  were  san 
guine  in  their  expectations  of  his  success.  He  therefore 
determined  to  strike  a  decisive  blow,  and  meet  the  antici 
pations  of  his  countrymen.  General  Jackson,  on  the 
other  hand,  though  impelled  by  widely  different  motives 
from  those  of  his  distinguished  rival,  was  nevertheless 
determined  to  repel  with  firmness  every  aggression  of  the 
enemy. 

On  the  fourth  of  January,  the  Kentucky  militia,  to  the 
amount  of  two  thousand  five  hundred,  under  the  com 
mand  of  General  Adair,  arrived  at  New  Orleans,  and 
joined  the  army  of  General  Jackson.  Their  arms  were 
in  very  bad  order  on  their  arrival,  in  consequence  of 
which,  and  the  scarcity  of  good  muskets  with  bayonets, 
four  companies  of  regulars  gave  up  their  arms  to  the 
newly  arrived  troops,  and  armed  themselves  with  fowling 
pieces  and  pikes  in  their  stead.  The  American  force  con 
sisted  of  about  six  thousand,  chiefly  composed  of  inex 
perienced  militia,  many  of  them  unarmed,  in  consequence 
of  the  delay  in  forwarding  munitions,  which  were  ex 
pected,  as  they  were  known  to  be  in  the  Mississippi. 
The  enemy's  force  consisted  of  more  than  fourteen 
thousand  of  the  best  disciplined  troops,  and  commanded 
by  officers  of  acknowledged  skill  and  courage. 

General  Pakenham  was  prepared  for  a  serious  attempt 
upon  the  American  works.  During  the  days  of  the  sixth 
and  seventh,  he  employed  himself  with  much  activity  in 
making  preparations  for  battle.  With  infinite  labor  he 
was  enabled,  on  the  night  of  the  seventh,  to  complete  a 
canal  from  the  swamp  to  the  Mississippi,  by  means  of 
which  he  succeeded  in  transporting  his  boats,  in  which  his 
disembarkation  had  been  effected,  from  the  lake  to  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  149 

river.  His  intentions  were  to  make  a  simultaneous  attack 
on  the  main  force  of  General  Jackson  on  the  left  bank, 
and  crossing  the  river  to  attack  the  batteries  on  the  right. 
The  works  of  General  Jackson  were  now  cpmpleted,  his 
front  was  a  straight  line  of  one  thousand  yards,  defended 
by  upwards  of  three  thousand  infantry  and  artillerists. 
The  ditch  contained  five  feet  water  ;  and  his  front,  from 
having  been  flooded  by  opening  the  levees,  and  frequent 
rains,  was  rendered  slippery  and  muddy.  Eight  distinct 
batteries  were  judiciously  disposed,  amounting  in  all  to 
twelve  guns  of  different  calibers. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  there  was  a  strong 
battery  of  fifteen  guns,  erected  and  superintended  by 
Commodore  Patterson  ;  and  the  intrenchments  were  occu 
pied  by  General  Morgan,  with  the  Louisiana  militia,  and 
a  strong  detachment  of  Kentucky  troops.  To  guard 
against  an  attack  from  any  other  source,  Colonel  Kemper, 
with  a  few  men,  encountering  great  difficulties,  had  ex 
plored  every  pass  and  bayou,  and  on  this  subject  had 
placed  at  ease  the  mind  of  the  American  commander. 

It  had  not  been  in  the  power  of  General  Jackson  to 
impede  the  operations  of  the  enemy  by  a  general  attack, 
on  account  of  the  nature  of  his  troops,  they  being  com 
posed  mostly  of  militia,  mere  novices  in  the  science  of 
war,  and  wholly  unused  to  military  tactics.  To  have  at 
tempted  extensive  offensive  movements,  in  an  open  coun 
try,  against  an  army  of  double  his  numbers,  and  superior 
in  every  respect  in  point  of  arms  and  discipline,  would 
have  been  extremely  hazardous  and  doubtful  policy. 
His  forces  had  been  increased  in  number,  it  is  true,  by 
the  arrival  of  the  Kentucky  division,  but  his  effective 
strength  had  received  no  important  addition ;  a  small 
portion  only  of  that  detachment  being  provided  with  arms 
or  munitions,  that  could  render  them  of  much  service  in 
the  approaching  contest.  He  was  thus  compelled  to  wait 
13* 


150  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

the  attack  of  the  enemy,  to  take  every  measure  to  repel 
it  when  it  should  be  made,  and  defeat  the  object  they  had 
in  view. 

On  the  seventh,  a  general  movement  and  bustle  in  the 
British  camp,  indicated  that  the  contemplated  attack  was 
about  to  be  made.  Every  thing  in  the  American  encamp 
ment  was  ready  for  action,  when  at  day-break,  on  the 
morning  of  the  memorable  eighth,  a  shower  of  rockets 
from  the  enemy,  gave  the  signal  of  battle.  A  detachment 
of  the  enemy  under  Colonel  Thornton,  proceeded  to  at 
tack  the  works  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river,  while  Ge 
neral  Pakenham  with  his  whole  force,  exceeding  twelve 
thousand  men,  moved  in  two  divisions  under  Generals 
Gibbs  and  Kean,  and  a  reserve  under  General  Lambert. 
Both  divisions  were  supplied  with  scaling-ladders  and 
fascines,  and  General  Gibbs  had  directions  to  make  the 
principal  attack.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  imposing 
grandeur  of  the  scene.  The  whole  British  force  advanced 
with  much  deliberation  in  solid  columns,  over  the  even 
surface  of  the  plain  in  front  of  the  American  intrench- 
ments,  bearing  with  them,  in  addition  to  their  arms,  their 
fascines  and  ladders,  for  storming  the  American  works. 
All  was  hushed  in  awful  stillness  throughout  the  Ame 
rican  lines  ;  each  soldier  grasped  his  arms  with  a  fixed 
ness  of  purpose,  which  told  his  firm  resolve  to  "  do,  or 
die ;"  till  the  enemy  approached  within  reach  of  the  bat 
teries,  which  opened  upon  them  an  incessant  and  destruc 
tive  tide  of  death.  They  continued,  however,  to  advance 
with  the  greatest  firmness,  closing  up  their  lyies  as  they 
were  opened  by  the  fire  of  the  Americans,  till  they  ap 
proached  within  reach  of  the  musketry  and  rifles  ;  these, 
in  addition  to  the  artillery,  produced  the  most  terrible 
havoc  in  their  ranks,  and  threAv  them  into  the  greatest 
confusion.  Twice  were  they  driven  back  with  immense 
slaughter,  and  twice  they  formed  again  and  renewed  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  151 

assault.  But  the  fire  of  the  Americans  was  tremendous, 
it  was  unparalleled  in  the  annals  of  deadly  doing  ;  it  was 
one  continued  blaze  of  destruction,  before  which  men 
could  not  stand  and  live.  Every  discharge  swept  away 
the  British  columns  like  an  inundation— M;hey  could  not 
withstand  it,  but  fled  in  consternation  and  dismay.  Vigor 
ous  were  the  attempts  of  their  officers,  to  rally  them  ; 
General  Pakenham  in  the  attempt  received  a  shot,  and 
fell  upon  the  field.  Generals  Gibbs  and  Kean  succeeded, 
and  attempted  again  to  push  on  their  columns  to  the  at 
tack,  but  a  still  more  dreadful  fatality  met  them  from  the 
thunders  of  the  American  batteries.  A  third  unavailing 
attempt  was  made  to  rally  their  troops  by  their  officers, 
but  the  same  destruction  met  them.  The  gallantry  of  the 
British  officers,  on  this  desperate  day,  was  deserving  of  a 
worthier  cause,  and  better  fate.  General  Gibbs  fell  mor 
tally,  and  General  Kean  desperately  wounded,  and  were 
borne  from  the  field  of  action.  The  discomfiture  of  the 
enemy  was  now  complete ;  a  few  only,  of  the  platoons, 
reached  the  ditch,  there  to  meet  more  certain  death.  The 
remainder  fled  from  the  field  with  the  greatest  precipitan 
cy,  and  no  farther  efforts  were  made  to  rally  them.  The 
intervening  plain  between  the  American  and  British  for 
tifications,  was  covered  with  the  dead ;  taking  into  view 
the  length  of  time  and  the  numbers  engaged,  the  annals 
of  bloody  strife,  it  is  believed,  furnish  no  parallel  to  the 
dreadful  carnage  of  this  battle.  Two  thousand,  at  the 
lowest  estimate,  fell,  besides  a  considerable  number 
wounded.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  did  not  exceed 
seven  killed  and  six  wounded.  General  Lambert  was 
the  only  superior  officer  left  on  the  field ;  being  unable  to 
check  the  flight  of  the  British  columns,  he  retreated  to 
his  encampment. 

The  entire  destruction  of  the  enemy's  army,   would 
have  been  now  inevitable,  had  it  not  been  for  an  unfor- 


152  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

tunate  occurrence,  which  at  this  moment  took  place  on 
the  other  side  of  the  river.  General  Pakenham  had 
thrown  over  in  his  boats,  upon  that  side  of  the  stream,  a 
considerable  force,  under  the  command  of  Colonel  Thorn 
ton,  simultaneously  with  his  advance  upon  the  main  body 
of  the  American  works.  They  succeeded  in  landing  at 
the  point  of  their  destination,  and  advanced  to  assault  the 
intrenchment,  defended  by  General  Morgan.  Their  re 
ception  was  not  such  as  might  have  been  expected,  from 
the  known  courage  and  firmness  of  the  troops  under  his 
command;  at  a  moment,  when  the  same  fate  that  met 
their  fellows  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  was  looked 
for,  with  a  confidence  approaching  to  a  certainty,  the 
American  right,  believing  itself  to  be  outflanked,  or  some 
other  reason  never  satisfactorily  explained,  relinquished 
its  position,  while  the  left,  with  the  batteries  of  Commo 
dore  Patterson,  maintained  their  ground  for  some  time 
with  much  gallantry  and  spirit,  till  at  length  finding 
themselves  deserted  by  their  friends  on  the  right,  and 
greatly  outnumbered  by  the  enemy,  they  were  compelled 
to  spike  their  guns  and  retreat. 

This  unfortunate  result,  totally  changed  the  aspect  of 
affairs.  The  enemy  were  now  in  occupation  of  a  position 
from  which  they  might  annoy  the  Americans  with  little 
hazard  to  themselves,  and  by  means  of  which,  they  might 
have  been  enabled  to  defeat,  in  a  very  considerable  degree, 
the  effects  of  the  success  of  our  arms  on  the  other  side  of 
the  river.  It  therefore  became  an  object  of  the  first  con 
sequence  with  General  Jackson,  to  dislodge  him  as  soon 
as  possible.  For  this  object,  all  the  means  in  his  power, 
which  he  could  use  with  any  safety,  were  put  into  imme 
diate  requisition. 

A  negotiation,  however,  for  a  temporary  suspension  of 
hostilities,  took  place,  to  enable  the  enemy  to  bury  their 
dead,  and  provide  for  their  wounded.  During  this  inter- 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  153 

val,  the  American  commander  prepared  himself  to  regain 
what  had  been  so  improvidently  lost.  To  those  who  had 
abandoned  a  station  of  such  importance,  he  addressed  the 
following  language : 

"  While,  by  the  blessing  of  Heaven,  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  victories  was  obtained  by  the  troops  under  my 
immediate  command,  no  words  can  express  the  mortifica 
tion  I  felt,  at  witnessing  the  scene  exhibited  on  the  oppo 
site  bank.  I  will  spare  your  feelings  and  my  own,  nor 
enter  into  a  detail  on  the  subject.  To  all  who  reflect,  it 
must  be-  a  source  of  eternal  regret,  that  a  few  moments 
exertion  of  that  courage  you  certainly  possess.  was  alone 
wanting  to  have  rendered  your  success  more  complete, 
than  that  of  your  fellow-citizens  in  this  camp.  To  what 
cause  was  the  abandonment  of  your  lines  owing?  To 
fear  ?  no  !  You  are  the  countrymen,  the  friends,  the  bro 
thers  of  those  who  have  secured  to  themselves,  by  their 
courage,  the  gratitude  ojftjtieir  country  ;  who  have  been 
prodigal  of  blood  in  its  defence,  and  who  are  strangers  to 
any  other  fear  than  disgrace — to  disaffection  to  our  glo 
rious  cause.  No,  my  countrymen,  your  general  does 
justice  to  the  pure  sentiments  by  which  you  are  inspired. 
How  then  could  brave  men,  firm  in  the  cause  in  which 
they  were  enrolled,  neglect  their  first  duty,  and  abandon 
the  post  committed  to  their  care  ?  The  want  of  discipline, 
the  want  of  order,  the  total  disregard  to  obedience,  and  a 
spirit  of  insubordination,  not  less  destructive  than  coward 
ice  itself,  are  the  causes  which  led  to  this  disaster,  and 
they  must  be  eradicated,  or  I  must  cease  to  command.  I 
desire  to  be  distinctly  understood,  that  every  breach  of 
orders,  all  want  of  discipline,  every  inattention  of  duty, 
will  be  seriously  and  promptly  punished ;  that  the  atten 
tive  officers,  and  good  soldiers,  may  not  be  involved  in 
the  disgrace  and  danger,  which  the  negligence  of  a  few 
may  produce.  Soldiers  !  you  want  only  th^will,  in  order 


154  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

to  emulate  the  glory  of  your  fellow -citizens  on  this  bank 
of  the  river — you  have  the  same  motives  for  action— the 
same  interest — the  same  country  to  protect :  and  you  have 
an  additional  interest,  from  past  events,  to  wipe  off  re 
proach,  and  show  that  you  will  not  be  inferior,  in  the  day 
of  trial,  to  any  of  your  countrymen. 

"  But  remember,  without  obedience,  without  order, 
without  discipline,  all  your  efforts  are  vain.  The  brave 
man,  inattentive  to  his  duty,  is  worth  little  more  to  his 
country,  than  the  coward  who  deserts  her  in  the  hour  of 
danger. 

"  Private  opinions,  as  to  the  competency  of  officers, 
must  not  be  indulged,  and  still  less  expressed.  It  is  im 
possible  that  the  measures  of  those  who  command,  should 
satisfy  all  who  are  bound  to  obey ;  and  one  of  the  most 
dangerous  faults  in  a  soldier,  is  a  disposition  to  criticise  and 
blame  the  orders  and  characters  of  his  superiors.  Sol 
diers  !  I  know  that  many  of  you  have  done  your  duty  ; 
and  I  trust  in  future,  that  I  shall  have  no  reason  to  make 
any  exception.  Officers  !  I  have  the  fullest  confidence 
that  you  will,  enforce  obedience  to  your  commands ;  but 
above  all,  that  by  subordination  in  your  differents  grades, 
you  will  set  an  example  to  your  men ;  and  that  hereafter, 
the  army  of  the  right  will  yield  to  none,  in  the  essential 
qualities  which  characterize  good  soldiers — that  they  will 
earn  their  share  of  those  honors  and  rewards,  which  their 
country  will  prepare  for  its  deliverers." 

All  the  circumstances  considered,  which  elicited  this 
address,  no  one,  it  is  confidently  believed,  can  be  found 
who  would  hazard  a  censure  on  it  as  an  unnecessary  ex 
hibition  of  severity.  Their  only  faults,  as  their  comman 
der  ingenuously  told  them,  w^ere  their  habits  of  insubor 
dination,  and  impatience  under  the  wholesome  restraints 
of  military  discipline  ;  and  yet  it  could  hardly  be  other 
wise — the  Kentucky  troops,  to  whom  was  intrusted  the 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  155 

defence  of  this  position,  had  only  arrived  at  New  Orleans 
three  days  previous  to  the  battle  ;  they  were  raw  recruits, 
unversed  in  military  tactics  ;  but  no  one  ever  doubted  their 
courage — their  leader  did  not  doubt  it,  nor  can  it  ever  be 
questioned  with  the  least  shadow  of  justice.  The  iron 
nerve,  and  intrepid  daring  of  the  Kentuckians,  are  pro 
verbial  throughout  the  world  ;  could  they  have  seen  a  few 
weeks  discipline,  or  had  their  insubordination  been 
checked,  and  their  discordant  views  concentrated  upon 
the  attainment  of  one  object,  the  British  legions  could 
have  sooner  sent  back  the  Mississippi  to  its  fountain-head, 
than  have  driven  the  Kentuckians  from  their  entrench 
ments,  while  a  soldier  was  living  to  defend  them. 

The  position  which  was  so  unadvisedly  abandoned  by 
the  Americans,  was  soon  vacated  by  the  British.  Dis 
heartened  by  such  a  succession  of  disasters  as  had  attend 
ed  their  expedition  against  New  Orleans,  they  retired, 
after  a  consultation  of  their  officers,  to  their  shipping. 
This  they  effected  with  the  utmost  secrecy,  leaving  behind 
them,  under  medical  attendance,  eighty  of  their  wounded ; 
including  two  officers,  fourteen  pieces  of  their  heavy  ar 
tillery,  and  a  quantity  of  shot,  having  destroyed  much  of 
their  powder.  Such  was  the  situation  of  the  ground  they 
abandoned,  and  of  that  through  which  they  retired,  pro 
tected  by  canals,  redoubts,  intrenchments,  and  morasses 
on  his  right,  and  the  river  on  his  left,  that  General  Jack 
son  could  not,  without  encountering  great  risk,  which  true 
policy  did  not  seem  to  dictate  or  authorize,  attempt  to  an 
noy  him  much  on  his  retreat. 

Whether  it  was  the  intention  of  the  British  commander 
to  renew  his  efforts  at  some  other  point,  or  abandon  the 
expedition  altogether,  could  not  at  this  period  be  ascer 
tained  with  positiveness  by  General  Jackson ;  his  con 
victions  were,  however,  pretty  strong,  that  his  last  ex 
ertions  had  been  made  in  this  quarter.  This  belief  was 


156  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

strengthened  not  only  by  the  severe  loss  he  had  sustained 
at  the  position  he  had  just  abandoned,  but  also  by  the 
failure  of  his  fleet  to  pass  Fort  St.  Philips. 

This  pass  was  defended  by  the  gallant  Major  Overton. 
It  was  on  the  first  of  January  that  this  officer  received  in 
formation  that  the  enemy  intended  passing  this  fort,  to 
co-operate  with  their  land  forces,  in  the  subjugation  of 
Louisiana  and  the  destruction  of  New  Orleans.  To  ef 
fect  this  with  more  facility,  they  intended,  in  the  firsfc  in* 
stance,  with  their  heavy  bomb-vessels  to  bombard  tVi 
into  subjection. 

On  receipt  of  this  information,  Major  Overton  turned 
his  attention  to  the  security  of  the  position  under  his  com 
mand.  He  erected  small  magazines  in  different  parts  of 
the  garrison,  that  if  one  blew  up,  he  could  resort  to  an 
other  ;  built  covers  for  his  men,  to  secure  them  from  the 
explosion  of  the  shells,  and  removed  the  combustible  mat 
ter  without  the  work.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  8th, 
he  was  advised  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  and  on  the 
ninth  at  a  quarter  past  ten  in  the  forenoon,  two  bomb- 
vessels,  one  sloop,  one  brig,  and  one  schooner,  hove  in 
sight ;  they  anchored  two  miles  below,  and  at  half  past 
eleven,  they  advanced  two  barges,  apparently  for  the  pur 
pose  of  sounding,  within  one  and  a  half  miles  of  the  fort. 
Major  Overton  ordered  his  water  battery,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Lieutenant  Cunningham  of  the  navy,  at  this  mo 
ment  to  open  upon  them  :  the  command  was  promptly 
obeyed,  and  with  an  effect  that  produced  a  precipitate  re 
treat.  At  half  past  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the 
enemy's  bomb-vessels  opened  their  fire  from  four  sea-mor 
tars,  two  of  thirteen  inches,  and  two  of  ten,  and  much  to  the 
chagrin  of  the  American  commander,  he  found  they  were 
without  the  effective  range  of  his  shot,  as  many  subse 
quent  experiments  proved.  They  continued  their  fire  with 
little  intermission  till  the  seventeenth. 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  15> 

On  the  evening  of  that  day  a  heavy  mortar  prepared 
by  the  Americans  was  in  readiness.  Major  Overton  or 
dered  Captain  Wolstoncroft  of  the  artillerists,  who  pre 
viously  had  charge  of  it,  to  open  a  fire,  which  was  done 
with  great  effect ;  it  produced  much  disorder  amongst  the 
enemy,  and  at  daybreak  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  they 
commenced  their  retreat,  after  having  thrown  upwards  of 
a  thousand  heavy  shells,  besides  shells  from  howitzers, 
round  shot,  and  grape,  which  they  discharged  from  boats 
under  the  cover  of  the  night. 

The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  encounter  was  un 
commonly  small,  in  consequence  of  the  great  care  taken 
by  the  officers  to  keep  their  men  under  cover;  as  the 
enemy  left  scarcely  ten  feet  of  the  garrison  untouched  by 
their  artillery. 

The  officers  and  soldiers  through  this  whole  affair, 
although  nine  days  and  nights  under  arms  in  the  different 
batteries,  the  consequent  fatigue  and  loss  of  sleep,  mani 
fested  the  greatest  firmness,  and  the  most  zealous  ardor  to 
defeat  the  enemy. 

The  evacuation  of  Louisiana  by  the  enemy  was  now 
complete,  without  having  accomplished  a  single  object  of 
their  expedition,  with  a  loss  of  five  thousand  of  their  offi 
cers  and  men,  and  the  production  of  extreme  mortification 
to  the  British  government. 

Thus  ended  a  campaign,  by  the  achievement  of  a  victory 
of  the  most  unparalleled  brilliancy  and  importance.  On 
its  consequences  it  would  be  unnecessary  to  enlarge  ;  they 
have  been  known  and  felt  by  thousands  of  our  grateful 
countrymen,  and  will  ever  be  acknowledged  with  pride 
and  gratitude  by  every  patriotic  American  heart.  A  large 
and  flourishing  city  saved  from  pillage ;  its  inhabitants 
from  the  horrors  incident  to  a  capture  by  storm,  and  the 
excesses  of  a  licentious  soldiery  stimulated  to  deeds  of 
daring,  by  the  watch-word  of  "  beauty  and  booty  ;"  a 
14 


158  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

most  important  commercial  portal  of  our  country  pre* 
served  from  the  rude  grasp  and  occupation  of  a  foreign 
power,  and  the  fruits  of  the  honest  industry  of  our  south 
ern  and  western  brethren,  preserved  to  the  owners  of  the 
soil ;  and  more  than  all  this,  the  production  of  that  glori 
ous  excitement,  which,  to  the  latest  posterity,  will  animate 
our  countrymen  to  the  defence  of  their  rights,  are  indeed 
circumstances  of  rare  occurrence  ;  and  when  we  add  to 
the  reflection,  that  these  things  were  achieved  by  a  mere 
handful  of  brave  men,  hastily  brought  together,  composed 
of  discordant  materials,  ill  supplied  with  the  munitions  of 
war,  yet  led  by  the  energy  and  talent  of  a  single  indi 
vidual,  to  a  triumph  over  double  their  numbers  of  the 
best  disciplined  and  best  appointed  troops  in  the  world, 
we  cannot  but  consider  it  one  of  the  greatest  deliverances 
ever  achieved  by  the  prowess  and  courage  of  man. 

At  the  close  these  brilliant  events,  General  Jackson  ad 
dressed  his  companions  in  glory,  in  the  following  happy 
and  appropriate  manner : 

*'  Citizens,  and  fellow-soldiers  !  The  enemy  has  re 
treated,  and  your  general  has  now  leisure  to  proclaim  to 
the  world  what  he  has  noticed  with  admiration  and  pride 
— your  undaunted  courage,  your  patriotism,  and  patience, 
under  hardships  and  fatigues.  Natives  of  different  states, 
acting  together  for  the  first  time  in  this  camp ;  differing 
in  habits  and  in  language,  instead  of  viewing  in  these  cir 
cumstances  the  germ  of  distrust  and  division,  you  have 
made  them  the  source  of  honorable  emulation,  and  from 
the  seeds  of  discord  itself  have  reaped  the  fruits  of  an 
honorable  union.  This  day  completes  the  fourth  week, 
since  fifteen  hundred  of  you  attacked  treble  your  number 
of  men,  who  had  boasted  of  their  discipline  and  their  ser 
vices  under  a  celebrated  leader,  in  a  long  and  eventful  war 
— attacked  them  in  their  camp,  the  moment  they  had  pro 
faned  the  soil  of  freedom  with  their  hostile  tread,  and  in- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  159 

flicted  a  blow  which  was  a  prelude  to  the  final  result  of 
their  attempt  to  conquer,  or  their  poor  contrivances  to  di 
vide  us.  A  few  hours  was  sufficient  to  unite  the  gallant 
band,  though  at  the  moment  they  received  the  welcome 
order  to  march,  they  were  separated  many  leagues,  in 
different  directions  from  the  city.  The  gay  rapidity  of 
the  march,  and  the  cheerful  countenances  of  the  officers 
and  men,  would  have  induced  a  belief  that  some  festive 
entertainment,  not  the  strife  of  battle,  was  the  scene  to 
which  they  hastened  with  so  much  eagerness  and  hilarity. 
In  the  conflict  that  ensued,  the  same  spirit  was  supported, 
and  my  communications  to  the  executive  of  the  United 
States,  have  testified  the  sense  I  entertained  of  the  merits 
of  the  corps  and  officers  that  were  engaged.  Resting  on 
the  field  of  battle,  they  retired  in  perfect  order  on  the  next 
morning  to  these  lines,  destined  to  become  the  scene  of 
future  victories,  which  they  were  to  share  with  the  rest  of 
you,  my  brave  companions  in  arms.  Scarcely  were  your 
lines  a  protection  against  musket-shot,  when,  on  the  28th, 
a  disposition  was  made  to  attack  them  with  all  the  pomp 
and  parade  of  military  tactics,  as  improved  by  those  vete 
rans  of  the  Spanish  war. 

"  Their  batteries  of  heavy  cannon  kept  up  an  incessant 
fire  ;  their  rockets  illuminated  the  air  ;  and  under  their 
cover,  two  strong  columns  threatened  our  flanks.  The 
foe  insolently  thought  that  this  spectacle  was  too  imposing 
to  be  resisted,  and  in  the  intoxication  of  this  pride,  he  al 
ready  saw  our  lines  abandoned  without  a  contest.  How 
were  these  menacing  appearances  met  ?  By  shouts  of 
defiance,  by  a  manly  countenance,  not  to  be  shaken  by  the 
roar  of  his  cannon,  or  by  the  glare  of  his  firework  rock 
ets  ;  by  an  artillery  served  with  superior  skill,  and  with 
deadly  effect.  Never,  my  brave  friends,  can  your  general 
forget  the  testimonials  of  attachment  to  our  glorious  cause, 
of  indignant  hatred  to  our  foe,  of  affectionate  confidence 


160  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

in  your  chief,  that  resounded  from  every  rank,  as  he  pass 
ed  along  your  line.  This  animating  scene  damped  the 
courage  of  the  enemy ;  he  dropped  his  scaling  ladders 
and  fascines,  and  the  threatened  attack  dwindled  into  a 
demonstTation,  which  served  only  to  show  the  emptiness 
of  his  parade,  and  to  inspire  you  with  a  just  confidence  in 
yourselves. 

"  The  new  year  was  ushered  in  with  the  most  tremen 
dous  fire  his  whole  artillery  could  produce  :  a  few  hours 
only,  however,  were  necessary,  for  the  brave  and  skillful 
men,  who  directed  our  own,  to  dismount  his  cannon,  de 
stroy  his  batteries,  and  effectually  silence  his  fire.  Hi 
therto,  my  brave  friends,  in  the  contest  on  our  lines,  your 
courage  had  been  passive  only  ;  you  stood  with  calmness 
a  fire  that  would  have  tried  the  firmness  of  a  veteran,  and 
you  anticipated  a  nearer  contest  with  an  eagerness  which 
was  soon  to  be  gratified. 

"  On  the  8th  of  January,  the  final  effort  was  made.  At 
the  dawn  of  day  the  batteries  opened,  and  the  columns 
advanced.  Knowing  that  the  volunteers  from  Tennessee 
and  the  militia  from  Kentucky  were  stationed  on  your 
left,  it  was  there  they  directed  their  chief  attack. 

"  Reasoning  always  from  false  principles,  they  expected 
little  opposition  from  men  whose  officers  even  were  not 
in  uniform,  who  were  ignorant  of  the  rules  of  dress,  and 
who  had  never  been  caned  into  discipline.  Fatal  mis 
take  !  a  fire  incessantly  kept  up,  directed  with  a  calmness 
and  unerring  aim,  strewed  the  field  with  the  bravest  offi 
cers  and  men  of  the  column  which  slowly  advanced,  ac 
cording  to  the  most  approved  rules  of  European  tactics, 
and  was  cut  down  by  the  untutored  courage  of  American 
militia.  Unable  to  sustain  this  galling  and  unceasing  fire, 
some  hundreds  nearest  the  intrenchment  called  for  quar 
ter,  which  was  granted  :  the  rest  retreating,  were  rallied 
at  some  distance,  but  only  to  make  them  a  surer  mark  fo? 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  161 

the  grape  and  canister  shot  of  our  artillery,  which,  with* 
out  exaggeration,  mowed  down  whole  ranks  at  every  dis 
charge  :  and  at  length  they  precipitately  retired  from  the 
field. 

Our  right  had  only  a  short  contest  to  sustain  with  a  few 
rash  men,  who  fatally  for  themselves,  forced  their  entrance 
into  the  unfinished  redoubt  on  the  river.  They  were 
quickly  dispossessed,  and  this  glorious  day  terminated 
with  the  loss  to  the  enemy,  of  their  commander-in-chief 
and  one  major-general  killed,  another  major-general 
wounded,  the  most  experienced  and  bravest  of  their  offi 
cers,  and  more  than  three  thousand  men  killed,  wounded 
and  missing,  while  our  ranks,  my  friends,  were  thinned 
only  by  the  loss  of  seven  of  our  brave  companions  killed, 
and  six  disabled  by  wounds — wonderful  interposition  of 
heaven  !  unexampled  event  in  the  history  of  war  ! 

Let  us  be  grateful  to  the  God  of  battles,  who  has  directed 
the  arrows  of  indignation  against  our  invaders,  while  he 
covered  with  his  protecting  shield  the  brave  defenders  of 
their  country. 

After  this  unsuccessful  and  disastrous  attempt,,  their 
spirits  were  broken,  their  force  was  destroyed,  and  their 
whole  attention  was  employed  in  providing  the  means  of 
escape.  This  they  have  effected;  leaving  their  heavy 
artillery  in  our  power,  and  many  of  their  wounded  to  our 
clemency.  The  consequences  of  this  short  but  decisive 
campaign,  are  incalculably  important.  The  pride  of  our 
arrogant  enemy  humbled,  his  forces  broken,  his  leaders 
killed,  his  insolent  hopes  of  our  disunion  frustrated — his 
expectation  of  rioting  in  our  spoils  and  wasting  our  coun 
try,  changed  into  ignominious  defeat,  shameful  flight,  and 
a  reluctant  acknowledgment  of  the  humanity  and  kindness 
.of  those,  whom  he  had  doomed  to  all  the  horrors  and  hu 
miliation  of  a  conquered  state. 

On  the  other  side,  unanimity  established,  disaffection 
14* 


162  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

crushed,  confidence  restored,  your  country  saved  from 
conquest,  your  property  from  pillage,  your  wives  and 
daughters  from  insult  and  violation — the  union  preserved 
from  dismemberment,  and  perhaps,  a  period  put  by  this  de 
cisive  stroke,  to  a  bloody  and  savage  war.  These,  my  brave 
friends,  are  the  consequences  of  the  efforts  you  have  made, 
and  the  success  with  which  they  have  been  crowned  by 
heaven. 

These  important  results  have  been  effected  by  the  uni 
ted  courage  and  perseverance  of  the  army  ;  but  which  the 
different  corps,  as  well  as  the  individuals  that  compose  it, 
have  vied  with  each  other  in  their  exertions  to  produce. 
The  gratitude,  the  admiration  of  their  country,  offers  a 
fairer  reward,  than  that  which  any  praises  of  the  general 
can  bestow,  and  the  best  is  that  of  which  they  can  never 
be  deprived,  the  consciousness  of  having  done  their  duty, 
and  of  meriting  the  applause  they  will  receive." 

We  regret  that  our  limits  will  not  admit  of  a  detail  of 
the  correspondence  between  General  Jackson  and  the  offi 
cers  of  the  British  army,  which  exhibits  in  so  favorable 
a  light,  the  courtesy  and  dignity  of  his  intercourse  with 
them  on  matters  of  negotiation  ;  we  cannot  forbear,  howr- 
ever,  transcribing  an  anecdote  illustrative  of  it.  It  ex 
hibits  not  only  his  courtesy  and  dignity  in  relation  to  the 
enemy,  but  a  humane  disposition,  attentive  to  the  danger 
of  the  humblest  individuals. 

Among  other  volunteers  who  served  under  him,  was  a 
brave  man,  one  distinguished  as  a  general  in  the  armies 
of  the  Republican  France, — Humbert, — who,  with  a  hand 
ful  of  men,  had  invaded  Ireland,  and  had  nearly  penetrated 
to  its  capital.  This  gentleman  had  obtained  permission 
to  raise  an  independent  corps,  and  in  order  to  fill  it,  had, 
by  some  incorrect  representations,  induced  some  of  the 
English  prisoners  to  enlist.  When  it  was  known  to  Ge 
neral  Jackson,  he  disapproved  of  the  proceeding.  A  car- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  163 

tel  had  been  signed  for  the  exchange  of  prisoners,  and  each 
one  who  should  be  kept  under  pretence  of  such  enlist 
ment,  would  prolong  the  captivity  of  one  of  our  Ameri 
can  citizens.  Moreover,  the  English  prisoners  who  had 
signed  their  names  for  enlistment,  complained  of  some 
deception ;  and  their  act  was  known  to  their  fellow-sol 
diers,  and  they  feared  punishment  if  they  were  exchanged. 

Under  these  circumstances,  General  Jackson,  confiding 
in  the  magnanimity  and  generosity  of  the  British  com 
mander,  and  judging  of  his  character  and  feelings  from 
his  own,  acquainted  him  with  the  circumstance,  and  said 
that  it  would  afford  him  the  highest  satisfaction  to  learn 
that  no  inquiry  should  be  made  to  the  prejudice  of  the 
men,  on  their  return.  His  confidence  was  not  misplaced. 
There  is  an  instinct  by  which  brave  and  honorable  men 
know  each  other.  General  Lambert  answered  him  nearly 
in  these  words.  "  On  the  subject  of  the  prisoners,  I  have 
only  to  remark  that  feeling  and  honorable  conduct  which 
has  characterized  every  transaction  in  which  I  have  had 
the  honor  to  be  concerned  with  you.  You  may  rely 
upon  it,  I  shall  take  no  retrospective  view  of  the  conduct 
of  any  of  the  men  returned,  and  shall  find  reasons  for  dis 
continuing  an  inquiry,  should  it  be  brought  before  me  in 
any  other  manner." 

Who  is  there  on  reading  this  correspondence,  that  does 
not  admire  the  humane  feelings  of  the  one,  the  courteous 
compliance  and  gentleman-like  language  of  the  other  of 
these  brave  men,  then  at  the  head  of  hostile  armies  ! 
Who  is  there  who  can  believe  that  he  who  was  thus  tender 
of  the  lives  of  his  enemy's  soldiers,  would  unnecessarily 
and  cruelly  take  those  of  his  own  ! — Who  is  there  who 
loves  his  country,  or  his  country's  honor,  that  would  not 
spurn  the  foul  calumny  which  at  once  would  tarnish 
both !  >  « 


164  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

We  have  not  space  here  to  relate  minutely,  all  the  cir 
cumstances  which  show  the  humanity  of  General  Jackson 
to  the  wounded  prisoners  who  were  taken,  to  the  number 
that  were  left  to  his  care  when  the  enemy  retired,  and  his 
constant,  unwearied  attention  to  the  men  under  his  com 
mand.  He  treated  and  spoke  to  them  as  his  children  ; 
and  that  they  "returned  his  confidence  by  good  conduct, 
may  be  inferred  from  the  fact,  that  not  a  single  punish 
ment  was  inflicted  for  a  military  offence  during  the  cam 
paign. 

Another  incident,  which  beautifully  illustrates  the  de 
voted  and  patriotic  feelings  of  the  females  of  Louisiana 
in  that  trying  period,  we  cannot  persuade  ourselves  to 
withhold.  Many  of  the  citizens  of  Louisiana  profess  the 
Catholic  religion.  It  is  well  known  that  those  of  that 
faith  dedicate  almost  every  day  in  the  year  to  the  honor 
of  some  holy  person,  who  has,  by  a  life  of  piety  and  cha 
rity,  merited  the  reputation  and  title  of  a  saint.  This  dis 
tinction  is  not  confined  to  sex ;  and  the  names  of  women, 
as  well  as  men,  are  placed  in  the  calendar,  and  claim 
particular  reverence  on  the  day  which  is  consecrated  to 
them.  In  the  city  of  New  Orleans  is  a  convent,  in  which 
a  number  of  respectable  ladies  have  dedicated  their  lives 
to  the  practices  of  piety,  to  the  education  of  poor  children 
of  their  own  sex,  and  to  works  of  charity.  This  pious 
sisterhood  were  awakened  from  their  rest,  or  disturbed  in 
their  holy  vigils,  before  the  dawn  of  the  8th  of  January,  by 
the  roar  of  cannon  and  volleys  of  musketry.  The  calen 
dar,  which  pointed  out  the  prayers  of  the  day,  was  hasti 
ly  opened,  and  indicated  the  auspicious  name  of  ST.  VIC 
TORIA.  They  hailed  the  omen,  and,  prostrate  on  the 
pavement  which  "  holy  knees  have  worn"  implored  the 
God  of  battles  to  nerve  the  arm  of  their  protectors,  and  turn 
the  tide  of  combat  against  the  invaders  of  their  country.* 
*  Livingston's  Address. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  166 


CHAPTER  X. 

Retrospection — General  Jackson  appoints  a  day  of  thanks 
giving — Dr.  Dubourg's  address  to  General  Jackson — 
His  reply — Generals  Coffee,  Carroll,  and  Adair — 
Their  merits — General  Jackson  still  continues  to 
strengthen  his  measures  of  defence — Treaty  of  peace 
between  the  United  States  and  England — General 
Jackson' s.  farewell  address  to  his  army. 

WE  have  traced  General  Jackson  and  his  little  band  of 
soldiers  through  scenes,  in  which  they  covered  themselves 
with  immortal  honors.  We  have  seen  them  arm  with 
alacrity,  and  stand  forth  under  their  intrepid  leader,  in 
defence  of  themselves,  their  wives,  their  children,  and  their 
country,  with  the  most  unyielding  firmness  of  purpose,  to 
maintain  the  supremacy  of  their  rights  and  privileges,  or 
perish  in  the  laudable  endeavor.  We  have  seen  their 
glorious  success — history  has  recorded  it — and  it  will  be 
proudly  remembered  long  after  its  brave  achievers  shall 
have  mingled  their  dust  with  the  soil  they  defended. 

General  Jackson  and  his  little  band,  although  every 
where  received  by  the  acclamations  of  the  grateful  and 
protected  Louisianians,  did  not  forget  the  homage  and 
adoration  due  to  the  Ruler  of  the  universe,  for  the  protec 
tion  that  had  been  extended  over  their  country.  He  ap 
pointed  the  twenty-third  day  of  January,  as  a  day  of 
thanksgiving  and  praise.  The  rites  were  performed  in 
the  cathedral  of  New  Orleans.  The  scene  was  solemn 
and  impressive.  The  commanding  general — his  com 
panions  in  glory — the  aged,  the  innocent,  the  defenceless 


166  BIOGRAPHY  OP 

ones  they  had  protected,  knelt  together  before  the  altar  of 
their  God. 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Dubourg,  of  the  diocess  of  Louisiana, 
addressed  General  Jackson  on  this  occasion,  in  the  follow 
ing  appropriate  manner : 

"  General — While  the  state  of  Louisiana,  in  the  joyful 
transports  of  her  gratitude,  hails  you  as  her  deliverer,  and 
the  asserter  of  her  menaced  liberties — while  grateful 
America,  so  lately  wrapped  up  in  anxious  suspense,  on 
the  fate  of  this  important  city,  is  re-echoing  from  shore  to 
shore  your  splendid  achievements,  and  preparing  to  in 
scribe  your  name  on  her  immortal  rolls,  among  those  of 
her  Washingtons — while  history,  poetry,  and  the  monu 
mental  arts,  will  vie,  in  consigning  to  the  admiration  of 
the  latest  posterity,  a  triumph,  perhaps,  unparalleled  in 
their  records — while  thus  raised  by  universal  acclamation 
to  the  very  pinnacle  of  fame,  how  easy  had  it  been  for  you, 
General,  to  forget  the  Prime  Mover  of  your  wonderful 
successes,  and  to  assume  to  yourself  a  praise  which  must 
essentially  return  to  that  exalted  source,  whence  every 
merit  is  derived.  Bat,  better  acquainted  with  the  nature 
of  true  glory,  and  justly  placing  the  summit  of  your  am 
bition,  in  approving  yourself  the  worthy  instrument  of 
Heaven's  merciful  designs,  the  first  impulse  of  your  reli 
gious  heart  was,  to  acknowledge  the  interposition  of  Pro 
vidence — your  first  step,  a  solemn  display  of  your  humble 
sense  of  His  favors.  Still  agitated  at  the  remembrance  of 
those  dreadful  agonies,  from  which  we  have  been  so  mi 
raculously  rescued,  it  is  our  pride  to  acknowledge,  that 
the  Almighty  has  truly  had  the  principal  hand  in  our  de 
liverance,  and  to  follow  you,  General,  in  attributing  to 
His  infinite  goodness,  the  homage  of  our  unfeigned  grati 
tude.  Let  the  infatuated  votary  of  a  blind  chance,  deride 
our  credulous  simplicity  ;  let  the  cold-hearted  atheist  look 
for  the  explanation  of  important  events,  to  the  mere  con- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  167 

catenation  of  human  causes  :  to  us,  the  whole  universe  is 
loud  in  proclaiming  a  Supreme  Ruler,  who,  as  he  holds 
the  hearts  of  men  in  his  hand,  holds  also  the  thread  of  all 
contingent  occurrences. 

"  To  Him,  therefore,  our  most  fervent  thanks  are  due, 
for  our  late  unexpected  rescue.  It  is  Him  we  intend  to 
praise,  when  considering  you,  General,  as  the  man  of  his 
right  hand,  whom  he  has  taken  pains  to  fit  out  for  the 
important  commission  of  our  defence.  We  extol  that  fe 
cundity  of  genius,  by  which,  under  the  most  discoura 
ging  distress,  you  created  unforeseen  resources — raised,  as 
it  were,  from  the  ground,  hosts  of  intrepid  warriors,  and 
provided  every  vulnerable  point  with  ample  means  of  de 
fence.  To  Him  we  trace  that  instinctive  superiority  of 
your  mind,  which  at  once  rallied  around  you  universal 
confidence  ;  impressed  one  irresistible  movement  to  all 
the  jarring  elements  of  which  this  political  machine  is 
composed ;  aroused  their  slumbering  spirits,  and  diffused 
through  every  rank  the  noble  ardor  which  glowed  in 
your  bosom.  To  Him,  in  fine,  we  address  our  acknow 
ledgments  for  that  consummate  prudence,  which  defeated 
all  the  combinations  of  a  sagacious  enemy,  entangled  him 
in  the  very  snares  which  he  had  spread  for  us,  and  suc 
ceeded  in  effecting  his  utter  destruction,  without  exposing 
the  lives  of  our  citizens.  Immortal  thanks  be  to  his  Su 
preme  Majesty,  for  sending  us  such  an  instrument  of  His 
bountiful  designs  !  A  gift  of  that  value,  is  the  best  token 
of  the  continuance  of  His  protection — the  most  solid  en 
couragement,  to  sue  for  new  favors.  The  first,  which  it 
emboldens  us  humbly  to  supplicate,  as  nearest  our  throb 
bing  hearts,  is  that  you  may  long  enjoy  the  honor  of  your 
grateful  country ;  of  which  you  will  permit  us  to  present 
you  a  pledge,  in  this  wreath  of  laurel,  the  prize  of  victory, 
the  symbol  of  immortality.  The  next  is  a  speedy  and 
honorable  termination  of  the  bloody  contest,  in  which  we 


168  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

are  engaged.  No  one  has  so  efficaciously  labored  as 
you,  General,  for  the  acceleration  of  that  blissful  period  : 
may  we  soon  reap  that  sweetest  fruit  of  your  splendid  and 
uninterrupted  victories." 

General  Jackson  replied  :  "  Reverend  Sir — I  receive, 
with  gratitude  and  pleasure,  the  symbol  crown,  which 
piety  has  prepared.  I  receive  it  in  the  name  of  the  brave 
men  who  so  effectually  seconded  my  exertions — they  well 
deserve  the  laurels  which  their  country  will  bestow. 

"  For  myself,  to  have  been  instrumental  in  the  deliver 
ance  of  such  a  country,  is  the  greatest  blessing-  that  Heaven 
could  confer.  That  it  has  been  effected  with  so  little  loss 
— that  so  few  tears  should  cloud  the  smiles  of  our  triumph, 
and  not  a  cypress  leaf  be  interwoven  in  the  wreath  which 
you  present,  is  a  source  of  the  most  exquisite  pleasure.  I 
thank  you,  reverend  sir,  most  sincerely,  for  the  prayers 
which  you  offer  up  for  my  happiness.  May  those  your 
patriotism  dictates  for  our  beloved  country,  be  first  heard  : 
and  may  mine,  for  your  individual  prosperity,  as  well  as 
that  of  the  congregation  committed  to  your  care,  be  favor 
ably  received — the  prosperity,  wealth,  and  happiness  of 
this  city,  will  then  be  commensurate  with  the  courage 
and  other  qualities  of  its  inhabitants." 

If  there  is  any  occasion  in  which  a  man  may  be  ex 
cused,  if  he  sh6uld  forget  the  moderation  and  humility 
which  only  accompanies  true  merit,  it  is  in  the  moment 
of  triumph,  when  a  conqueror  who  has  led  his  country 
men  to  victory,  and  saved  his  country  from  subjugation, 
is  received  by  the  grateful  acclamations  of  his  fellow-citi 
zens  on  his  return.  When  his  way  is  strewed  with 
flowers  by  the  hands  of  those  whom  he  has  protected  from 
violation  ;  when  the  "  pealing  anthem  swells  the  note  of 
praise,"  and  the  incense  of  the  altar  perfumes  the  air — at 
such  a  time  as  this,  he  must  have  a  large  share  of  self- 
command  who  is  not  intoxicated  with  popular  applause, 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  169 

elevated  in  his  own  opinion  by  the  praises  he  receives, 
and  incline  to  attribute  to  himself  all  the  merit  of  an 
achievement,  in  which  he  had  the  principal,  but  not  the 
only  share.  Yet, 'on  such  an  occasion,  the  man  who  has 
been  represented  as  the  proud  ferocious  warrior,  arroga 
ting  all  things  to  himself,  regardless  of  the  rights  of  others, 
and  unmindful  of  his  duty  to  God  or  man,  when  met  at  the 
door  of  the  temple  by  the  venerable  prelate,  who  bore 
witness  to  the  piety  with  which  he  had  ascribed  to  the 
Divine  Power  the  success  with  which  he  had  been 
blessed,  and  presented  him  with  the  victor's  crown  of 
laurel ;  when  all  things  combined  to  raise  his  opinion  of 
himself,  and  make  him  forgetful  of  what  was  due  to 
others  ;  he  did  not  place  on  his  own  brows  the  crown  that 
was  offered,  but  modestly  received  it  on  behalf  of  the 
"  brave  men,"  whom  he  honored  with  the  endearing  title 
of  his  "  brethren  in  arms,"  and  expressed  his  chief  satis 
faction  to  be  that  the  victory  was  obtained  with  so  little 
loss,  and  that  not  a  cypress  leaf  was  mingled  with  the 
chaplet  that  was  presented  to  liim.  Now  as  hypocrisy  is 
not  one  of  those  vices  with  which  he  has  been  reproached, 
we  must  presume  these  expressions  of  piety  and  humility 
to  be  sincere,  and  they  do  certainly  give  a  new  lustre  to 
his  merit. 

While  General  Jackson  was  receiving  the  gratulations 
of  his  countrymen,  his  companions  in  glory  were  not 
overlooked.  The  services  of  the  gallant  volunteers  of 
Tennessee,  the  brave  troops  from  Kentucky  and  Missis 
sippi,  who  aided  in  those  times  that  "  tried  men's  souls," 
received  their  due  meed  of  gratitude.  Never  will  their 
exploits  be  forgotten  by  the  Louisianians  ;  and  the  names 
of  Coffee,  and  Carroll,  and  Adair,  will  be  ever  associated 
with  that  of  Jackson  in  their  memory.* 

General  Jackson  did  not  yet  deem  it  expedient  to  relax 

*  Livingston's  Address. 
15 


170  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

any  of  his  exertions,  to  render  the  country  safe.  With 
the  assistance  of  Generals  Coffee,  Carrol,  and  Adair,  and 
the  troops  under  their  command,  he  continued  to  aug 
ment  the  strength  of  his  lines  on  each  bank  of  the  Missis 
sippi.  From  his  uniform  language  and  conduct  at  this 
period,  it  would  appear  that  he  supposed  the  negotiations 
at  Ghent  would  not  terminate  amicably.  In  one  of  his 
letters  to  Mr.  Monroe,  the  secretary  of  war,  he  says,  "  In 
my  own  mind,  there  is  but  little  doubt,  that  his  (the  Bri 
tish  commander's)  last  exertions  have  been  made  in  this 
quarter,  at  any  rate  for  the  present  season ;  and  by  the 
next,  I  hope  we  shall  be  fully  prepared  for  him."  In 
another  one  he  says — "  Wherever  I  command,  such  a 
belief  (that  the  enemy  would  retire)  shall  never  occasion 
any  relaxation  in  the  measures  of  resistance.  I  am  but 
too  sensible  that  the  moment  when  the  enemy  is  opposing 
us,  is  not  the  most  proper  to  provide  for  him." 

By  the  24th  of  January,  every  hostile  foot  was  driven 
from  the  soil  of  Louisiana,  and  General  Lambert  and  his 
army  were  compelled  to  seek  for  safety  in  the  fleet  of 
Admiral  Cochrane,  and  even  that  was  compelled  to  keep 
at  a  respectful  distance  from  the  shores  of  the  Republic. 

Before  the  8th  February,  the  British  forces  had  posi 
tive  and  certain  intelligence,  that  a  treaty  of  peace  be 
tween  America  and  Great  Britain,  had  been  signed  by 
the  commissioners  of  the  two  governments  at  Ghent. 
They  were  aware,  however,  that  it  was  not  binding  until 
ratifications  were  exchanged. 

General  Jackson,  on  the  13th  of  February,  was  advised 
of  the  ratification  of  the  treaty  of  peace,  by  an  express 
from  the  war  department.  The  following  is  his  farewell 
address  to  his  troops,  on  their  departure  from  New  Or 
leans  to  their  respective  homes  : 

"  The  major  general  is  at  length  enabled  to  perform 
the  pleasing  task,  of  restoring  to  Tennessee,  Kentucky, 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  171 

Louisiana,  and  the  territory  of  the  Mississippi,  the  brave 
troops  who  have  acted  such  a  distinguished  part,  in  the 
war  which  has  just  terminated.  In  restoring  these  brave 
men  to  their  homes,  much  exertion  is  expected  of,  and 
great  responsibility  imposed  on,  the  commanding  officers 
of  the  different  corps.  It  is  required  of  Maj.  Gens.  Car 
roll  and  Thomas,  and  Brig.  Gen.  Coffee,  to  march  their 
commands,  without  unnecessary  delay,  to  their  respective 
states.  The  troops  from  the  Mississippi  territory  and 
state  of  Louisiana,  both  militia  and  volunteers,  will  be 
immediately  mustered  out  of  service,  paid,  and  discharged. 

"  The  major  general  has  the  satisfaction  of  announcing 
the  approbation  of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to 
the  conduct  of  the  troops  under  his  command,  expressed 
in  flattering  terms,  through  the  honorable  the  secretary 
of  war.  In  parting  with  these  brave  men,  whose  desti 
nies  have  been  so  long  united  with  his  own,  and  in  whose 
labors  and  glories  it  is  his  happiness  and  his  boast  to  have 
participated,  the  commanding  general  can  neither  sup 
press  his  feelings,  nor  give  utterance  to  them  as  he  ought. 
In  what  terms  can  he  bestow  suitable  praise  on  merit  so 
extraordinary,  so  unparalleled?  Let  him,  in  one  burst 
of  joy,  gratitude,  and  exultation,  exclaim,  These  are  the 
saviors  of  their  country — these  the  patriot  soldiers  who 
triumphed  over  the  invincibles  of  Wellington,  and  con 
quered  the  conquerors  of  Europe  ! 

"  With  what  patience  did  you  submit  to  privations — 
with  what  fortitude  did  you  endure  fatigue — what  valor 
did  you  display  in  the  day  oT  battle  !  you  have  secured  to 
America  a  proud  name  among  the  nations  of  the  earth — 
a  glory  which  will  never  perish.  Possessing  those  dis 
positions,  which  equally  adorn  the  citizen  and  the  sol 
dier,  the  expectations  of  your  country  will  be  met  in 
peace,  as  her  wishes  have  been  gratified  in  war.  Go 
then,  my  brave  companions,  to  your  homes ;  to  those  ten- 


172  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

der  connexions,  and  blissful  scenes,  which  render  life  so 
dear — full  of  honor,  and  crowned  with  laurels  which  will 
never  fade.  When  participating,  in  the  bosoms  of  your 
families,  the  enjoyment  of  peaceful  life,  with  what  happi 
ness  will  you  not  look  back  to  the  toils  you  have  borne — 
to  the  dangers  you  have  encountered  ?  How  will  all 
your  past  exposures  be  converted  into  sources  of  inexpres 
sible  delight  ?  Who,  that  never  experienced  your  suffer 
ings,  will  be  able  to  appreciate  your  joys  ?  The  man 
who  slumbered  ingloriously  at  home,  during  your  painful 
marches,  your  nights  of  watchfulness,  and  your  days  of 
toil,  will  envy  you  the  happiness  which  these  recollec 
tions  will  afford — still  more  will  he  envy  the  gratitude  of 
that  country,  which  you  have  so  eminently  contributed  to 
save.  Continue,  fellow-soldiers,  on  your  passage  to  your 
several  destinations,  to  preserve  that  subordination,  that 
dignified  and  manly  deportment,  which  have  so  ennobled 
your  character. 

"  While  the  commanding  general  is  thus  giving  indul 
gence  to  his  feelings,  towards  those  brave  companions 
who  accompanied  him  through  difficulties  and  danger, 
he  cannot  permit  the  names  of  Blount,  and  Shelby,  and 
Holmes,  to  pass  unnoticed.  With  what  generous  ardor 
and  patriotism,  have  these  distinguished  governors  con 
tributed  all  their  exertions ;  and  the  success  which  has 
resulted,  will  be  to  them  a  reward  more  grateful  than  any 
which  the  pomp  of  title,  or  the  splendor  of  wealth,  can 
bestow. 

"  What  happiness  it  is  to  the  commanding  general,  that 
while  danger  was  before  him,  he  was,  on  no  occasion, 
compelled  to  use  towards  his  companions  in  arms,  either 
severity  or  rebuke.  If  after  the  enemy  had  retired,  im 
proper  passions  began  their  empire  in  a  few  unworthy 
bosoms,  and  rendered  a  resort  to  energetic  measures  ne 
cessary  for  their  suppression,  he  has  not  confounded  the- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  173 

innocent  with  the  guilty — the  seduced  with  the  seducers. 
Towards  you,  fellow-soldiers,  the  most  cheering  recollec 
tions  exist,  blended,  alas !  with  regret,  that  disease  and 
war  should  have  ravished  from  us  so  many  worthy  com 
panions.  But  the  memory  of  the  cause  in  which  they 
perished,  and  of  the  virtues  which  animated  them,  while 
living,  must  occupy  the  place  where  sorrow  would  claim 
to  dwell. 

"  Farewell,  fellow-soldiers.  The  expression  of  your 
general's  thanks  is  feeble,  but  the  gratitude  of  a  country 
of  freemen  is  yours — yours  the  applause  of  an  admiring 
world."  15* 


174  BIOGRAPHY  OF 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Recapitulation — Facts  relative  to  the  proclamation  of 
martial  law — Habeas  Corpus — Louallier — Judge  Hall 
— Defence  of  General  Jackson's  suspension  of  the  writ  of 
'  habeas  corpus — He  is  arrested — His  reasons  showing 
cause  why  an  attachment  for  contempt  should  not  be 
heard  against  him — Consequences  that  would  result  from 
a  strict  adherence  to  the  civil  code  in  seasons  of  peril. 

WE  must  now  refer  our  readers  to  the  transactions 
previous  to  the  period  of  those  related  in  the  preceding 
chapter.  The  declaration  of  martial  law,  of  which  we 
have  before  remarked,  was  generally  acquiesced  in  by 
most  of  the  citizens  of  New  Orleans,  while  the  danger 
lasted.  When  it  ceased  to  press  them,  the  darker  pas 
sions  began  to  work ;  and  those  who  had  ever  been  un 
friendly  to  the  adoption  of  effective  measures  for  the  pre 
servation  of  the  city,  evinced  their  hostility  and  contempt 
for  the  commanding  general's  regulations  and  rules  for 
the  preservation  of  the  country. 

On  the  18th  of  February,  Admiral  Cochrane  had  writ 
ten  to  General  Jackson,  that  he  had  received  from  Jamai 
ca  unofficial  intelligence  of  peace.  The  general  received 
his  letter  on  the  21st,  and  immediately  addressed  to  him 
this  inquiry,  "  whether  he  considered  the  intelligence  as 
authorizing  a  cessation  of  hostilities  ?"  which  inquiry 
was  answered  in  the  negative.  But  with  the  retreat  of 
the  enemy  to  their  ships,  the  danger  appeared  to  many  to 
be  over ;  and  the  impatience  of  military  duty  which  this 
impression  created,  was  the  motive  upon  which  the  dis- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  175 

affected  operated,  to  create  disobedience  and  mutiny  in 
the  general's  army.  Although  in  his  proclamation,  the 
general  had  cautioned  the  citizens  "  not  to  be  thrown 
into  false  alarms  by  the  intelligence  of  peace,"  observing, 
44  that  even  if  it  were  true  that  a  peace  had  been  signed 
in  Europe,  it  could  not  put  an  end  to  the  war,  until  it 
should  be  ratified  by  the  two  governments ;"  although 
.  he  British,  who  had  been  reinforced  by  a  larger  body  of 
fresh  troops,  lay  within  half  a  day's  sail  of  New  Orleans, 
by  a  passage  which  the  batteries  at  Chef  Menteur  and 
Fort  Coquilles  defended ; — yet,  one  Louallier  published  a 
piece  in  a  New  Orleans  paper,  that  caused  the  Louisiana 
companies,  which  manned  these  batteries,  to  desert,  re 
turn  into  the  city,  and  leave  it  exposed.  He  was  arrested 
for  exciting  mutiny  and  desertion  in  the  camp,  and  for 
giving  intelligence  to  the  enemy ;  and  to  discharge  him 
from  arrest,  Judge  Hall  issued  his  writ  of  habeas  corpus. 
This  writ  was  resisted  by  General  Jackson.  For  this 
act  he  has  been  severely  censured,  and  with  as  little 
liberality  and  justice  as  usual.  It  has  been  gravely  as 
serted,  that  he  suspended  the  habeas  corpus,  the  charter 
of  our  liberties,  upon  his  own  individual  authority.  His 
defence  is  complete  and  triumphant. 

It  was  proved  by  the  testimony  of  the  clerk  of  the 
court,  before  which  the  process  was  returnable,  that  the 
writ  which  was  granted  for  the  release  of  Louallier,  was 
actually  issued  before  his  arrest,  and  that  the  date  had 
been  altered  by  the  judge  to  suit  the  occasion.  This  was 
proof  of  complicity  on  his  part,  that  rendered  the  pro 
ceeding  more  objectionable.  But  General  Jackson  de 
clined  availing  himself  of  this  defect,  and  met  the  prin 
ciple  fairly,  asserting  the  necessity  of  adhering  to  his 
plan  of  defence,  and  maintaining  military  power.  Nor 
did  he  stop  to  ascertain  what  statute  had  conferred  on  a 
district  judge  of  the  United  States,  power  to  issue  a  pro- 


176  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

cess,  which,  touching  the  liberty  of  the  citizen,  and  being 
in  its  nature  the  creature  of  statute,  would  more  properly 
emanate  from  the  state  judiciary.  As  all  other  command 
ers  in  this  Union,  on  occasions  of  less  necessity,  had 
done,  he  kept  the  civil  process  out  of  the  camp.  And 
would  his  accusers  have  had  him  to  yield  to  the  officious 
judge,  and  malcontent  citizen — to  suffer  his  troops  to  de 
sert,  and  his  defences  to  be  abandoned,  when  a  superior 
hostile  force,  unused  to  defeat,  and  intent  on  "  beauty  and 
booty,"  were  hovering  within  a  half  day's  sail  of  New 
Orleans,  ready  to  strike  a  fatal  blow  to  its  liberties  when 
ever  a  favorable  opportunity  presented  ?  Was  the  tem 
porary  restraint  of  Louallier,  the  momentary  suppression 
of  his  cacoethes  scribendi,  a  greater  evil  than  the  perma 
nent  conquest  of  New  Orleans  ?  General  Jackson's  ac 
cusers  describe  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus  "  as  the  safe 
guard  of  individual  liberty  ;"  but  at  the  crisis  referred  to, 
his  power  was  the  safeguard  of  the  liberty  of  thousands, 
and  individual  liberty  was  not  to  endanger  so  great  a 
stake.  He  who  brought  it  into  collision  with  this  great 
object,  acted  like  a  bitter  foe  to  his  country,  and  was  no 
more  entitled  to  respect,  than  he  would  have  been,  had  he 
on  the  8th  of  January  interposed  his  person  between  the 
American  riflemen  and  the  enemy,  and  insisted  on  the 
former  not  firing  for  fear  of  taking  his  life.  The  truth 
is,  the  judge,  the  citizen,  the  army,  and  the  people,  were 
all  embarked  in  the  same  vessel  and  in  the  same  storm. 
Measures,  proper  for  the  defence  of  all,  were  by  the  law 
of  necessity  obligatory  on  all — and  the  pilot  to  whose 
vigorous  arm  the  helm  was  consigned,  would  have  been 
guilty  of  both  crime  and  folly,  had  he  relinquished  it 
merely  because  land  was  in  sight.  This  General  Jack 
son  would  not  do,  and  his  patriotic  firmness  has  ex 
cited  the  lasting  gratitude  of  the  American  people.  The 
sentiments  are  the  reverse  of  this  which  the  same  peo- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  177 

pie  entertain  for  those  who  rail  at  him  for  serving — for  not 
permitting  his  sentinels  to  be  subpoenaed  from  their  posts, 
or  his  men  removed  by  writ  of  habeas  corpus  from  their 
guns — acts  which  rind  ample  justification  from  the  cir 
cumstances  which  called  them  into  being.  But  the  civil 
authority,  which  from  its  mal-administration,  he  was  obli 
ged  to  defend,  he  propitiated  in  a  manner  so  signal,  as  to 
return  it  greater  strength  and  sanctity,  than  the  folly  of  its 
object  and  its  agent  had  taken  away. 

When  peace  was  announced,  he  was  arrested  and 
brought  before  Judge  Hall,  to  answer  for  a  contempt  of 
court.  The  judge  refused  to  hear  his  defence.  But  as 
the  answer  he  had  prepared  to  show  cause  why  a  writ  of 
attachment  for  contempt  should  not  issue  against  him, 
does  honor  to  his  head  and  heart,  and  evinces  the  purity 
of  the  motives  under  which  he  acted,  we  apprehend  that 
injustice  would  be  done  him,  if  we  should  omit  the  tran 
scription  of  a  part  of  it ;  at  least  and  our  readers,  we  ima 
gine,  would  be  also  disinclined  to  pardon  the  omission. 

After  stating  his  objections  to  the  proceedings,  on  the 
ground  of  their  illegality,  and  that  the  offences  charged 
against  him  were  not  cognizable  by  the  court  before  which 
he  was  called  to  appear — after  recurring  to  the  corres 
pondence  between  him  and  the  governor  of  Louisiania, 
previous  to  and  after  his  arrival  in  this  section  of  the 
seventh  military  district,  on  which  we  have  remarked  in 
a  former  chapter,  he  closed  his  defence  as  follows  : 

"  With  the  impressions  this  correspondence  was  calcu 
lated  to  produce,  the  respondent  arrived  in  this  city, 
where,  in  different  conversations,  the  same  ideas  were 
enforced,  and  he  was  advised  not  only  by  the  governor  of 
.he  state,  but  very  many  influential  persons,  to  proclaim 
MARTIAL  LAW,  as  the  only  means  of  producing  union, 
overcoming  disaffection,  detecting  treason,  and  calling 
forth  the  energies  of  the  country.  This  measure  was 


ITS  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

discussed  and  recommended  to  the  respondent,  as  he  well 
recollects,  in  the  presence  of  the  judge  of  this  honorable 
court,  who  not  only  made  no  objection,  but  seemed,  by 
his  gestures  and  silence,  to  approve  of  its  being  adopted. 
These  opinions,  respectable  in  themselves,  derived  greater 
weight  from  that  which  the  governor  expressed  of  the 
legislature  then  in  session.  He  represented  their  fidelity 
as  very  doubtful ;  ascribed  design  to  their  prolonged  ses 
sion,  and  appeared  extremely  desirous  that  they  should 
adjourn. 

"  The  respondent  had  also  been  informed,  that  in  the 
house  of  representatives,  the  idea,  that  a  very  consider 
able  part  of  the  state  belonged  to  the  Spanish  govern 
ment,  and  ought  not  to  be  represented,  had  been  openly 
advocated,  and  favorably  heard.  The  co-operation  of  the 
Spaniards  with  the  English,  was,  at  that  time,  a  prevalent 
idea.  This  information,  therefore,  appeared  highly  im 
portant.  He  determined  to  examine,  with  the  utmost 
care,  all  the  facts  that  had  been  communicated  to  him ; 
and  not  to  act  upon  the  advice  he  had  received,  until  the 
clearest  demonstration  should  have  determined  its  pro 
priety.  He  was  then  almost  an  entire  stranger,  in  the 
place  he  was  sent  to  defend,  and  unacquainted  with  the 
language  of  a  majority  of  its  inhabitants.  While  these 
circumstances  were  unfavorable  to  his  obtaining  informa 
tion,  on  the  one  hand,  they  precluded,  on  the  other,  a 
suspicion  that  his  measures  were  dictated  by  personal 
friendship,  private  animosity,  or  party  views.  Uninflu 
enced  by  such  motives,  he  began  his  observations.  He 
sought  for  information,  and,  to  obtain  it,  communicated 
with  men  of  every  description.  He  believed  that  even 
then  he  discovered  those  high  qualities,  which  have  since 
distinguished  those  brave  defenders  of  their  country ;  that 
the  variety  of  language,  the  difference  of  habit,  and  even 
the  national  prejudices,  which  seemed  to  divide  the  inha- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  179 

bitants,  might  be  made,  if  properly  directed,  the  source 
of  the  most  honorable  emulation.  Delicate  attentions 
were  necessary  to  foster  this  disposition  ;  and  the  highest 
energy,  to  restrain  the  effects,  that  such  an  assemblage 
was  calculated  to  produce ;  he  determined  to  avail  him 
self  of  both,  and  with  this  view  called  to  his  aid  the  im 
pulse  of  national  feeling,  the  higher  motives  of  patriotic 
sentiment,  and  the  noble  enthusiasm  of  valor.  They  ope 
rated  in  a  manner  which  history  will  record ;  all  who 
could  be  influenced  by  those  feelings,  rallied  without  de 
lay  round  the  standard  of  their  country.  Their  efforts, 
however,  would  have  been  unavailing,  if  the  disaffected 
had  been  permitted  to  counteract  them  by  their  treason, 
and  the  timid  to  paralyze  them  by  their  example,  and  both 
to  stand  aloof  in  the  hour  of  danger,  and  enjoy  the  fruit 
of  victory  without  participating  in  the  danger  of  defeat. 

"A  disciplined  and  powerful  army  was  on  our  coast,  com 
manded  by  officers  of  tried  valor  and  consummate  skill ; 
their  fleet  had  already  destroyed  the  feeble  defence,  on 
which,  alone,  we  could  rely  to  prevent  their  landing  on 
our  shores.  Their  point  of  attack  was  uncertain  ;  a 
hundred  inlets  were  to  be  guarded,  by  a  force  not  suffi 
cient  in  number  for  one ;  we  had  no  lines  of  defence ; 
.reason  lurked  among  us,  and  only  waited  the  moment 
of  expected  defeat,  to  show  itself  openly  ;  our  men  were 
few,  and  of  those  few,  not  all  were  armed  ;  our  prospect 
of  aid  and  supply  was  distant  and  uncertain  ;  our  utter 
ruin,  if  we  failed,  at  hand,  and  inevitable  ;  every  thing 
depended  on  the  prompt  and  energetic  use  of  the  means 
we  possessed — on  calling  the  whole  force  of  the  commu 
nity  into  action  ;  it  was  a  contest  for  the  very  existence  of 
the  state,  and  every  nerve  was  to  be  strained  in  its  defence. 
The  physical  force  of  every  individual,  his  moral  facul 
ties,  his  property,  and  the  energy  of  his  example,  were  to 
be  called  into  action,  and  instant  action.  No  delay — no 


180  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

hesitation — no  inquiry  about  rights,  or  all  was  lost ;  and 
every  thing  dear  to  man,  his  property,  life,  the  honor  of 
his  family,  his  country,  its  constitution  and  laws,  were 
swept  away  by  the  avowed  principles,  the  open  practice 
of  the  enemy  with  whom  we  had  to  contend.  Fortifica 
tions  were  to  be  erected,  supplies  procured,  arms  sought 
for,  requisitions  made,  the  emissaries  of  the  enemy  watch 
ed,  lurking  treason  overawed,  insubordination  punished, 
and  the  contagion  of  cowardly  example  to  be  stopped. 

"  In  this  crisis,  and  under  a  firm  persuasion  that  none 
of  those  objects  could  be  effected  by  the  exercise  of  the 
ordinary  powers  confided  to  him — under  a  solemn  con 
viction  that  the  country  committed  to  his  care  could  be 
saved  by  that  measure  only,  from  utter  ruin — under  a  re 
ligious  belief,  that  he  was  performing  the  most  important 
and  sacred  duty,  the  respondent  proclaimed  martial  law. 
He  intended  by  that  measure,  to  supersede  such  civil 
powers  as,  in  their  operation,  interfered  with  those  he  was 
obliged  to  exercise.  He  thought,  in  such  a  moment,  con 
stitutional  forms  must  be  suspended,  for  the  permanent 
preservation  of  constitutional  rights,  and  that  there  could 
be  no  question,  whether  it  were  best  to  depart  for  a  mo 
ment  from  the  enjoyment  of  our  dearest  privileges,  or 
have  them  wrested  from  us  forever.  He  knew,  that  if 
the  civil  magistrates  were  permitted  to  exercise  their  usual 
functions,  none  of  the  measures  necessary  to  avert  the 
awful  fate  that  threatened  us,  could  be  expected.  Personal 
liberty  cannot  exist  at  a  time  when  every  man  is  required 
to  become  a  soldier.  Private  property  cannot  be  secured 
when  its  use  is  indispensable  to  the  public  safety.  Un 
limited  liberty  of  speech  is  incompatible  with  the  discipline 
of  a  camp  ;  and  that  of  the  press  more  dangerous  still, 
when  made  the  vehicle  of  conveying  intelligence  to  the 
enemy,  or  exciting  mutiny  among  the  troops.  To  have 
suffered  the  uncontrolled  enjoyment  of  any  of  those  rights, 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  181 

during  the  time  of  the  late  invasion,  would  have  been  to 
abandon  the  defence  of  the  country :  the  civil  magistrate 
is  the  guardian  of  those  rights ;  and  the  proclamation  of 
martial  law  was,  therefore,  intended  to  supersede  the  ex 
ercise  of  his  authority,  so  far  as  it  interfered  with  the  ne 
cessary  restriction  of  those  rights — but  no  further. 

"  The  respondent  states  these  principles  explicitly,  be 
cause  they  are  the  basis  of  his  defence,  and  because  a 
mistaken  notion  has  been  circulated  that  the  declaration 
of  martial  law  only  subjected  the  militia  in  service  to  its 
operation.  This  would,  indeed  have  been  a  very  useless 
ceremony,  as  such  persons  were  already  subject  to  it,  with 
out  the  addition  of  any  other  act.  Besides,  if  the  pro 
clamation  of  martial  law  were  a  measure  of  necessity, — 
a  measure,  without  the  exercise  of  which  the  country 
must  unquestionably  have  been  conquered,  then  does  it 
form  a  complete  justification  for  the  act.  If  it  do  not,  in 
what  manner  will  the  proceeding  by  attachment  for  con 
tempt  be  justified  ?  It  is  undoubtedly  and  strictly  a  cri 
minal  prosecution  ;  and  the  constitution  declares,  that,  in 
all  criminal  prosecutions,  the  accused  shall  have  the  be 
nefit  of  a  trial  by  jury ;  yet  a  prosecution  is  even  now 
going  on  in  this  court,  where  no  such  benefit  is  allowed. 
Why  ?  From  the  alledged  necessity  of  the  case,  because 
courts  could  not,  it  is  said,  subsist  without  a  power  to  pu 
nish  promptly  by  their  own  act,  and  without  the  interven 
tion  of  a  jury.  Necessity  then,  may,  in  some  cases,  jus 
tify  a  departure  from  the  constitution  :  and  if  in  the  doubt 
ful  case  of  avoiding  confusion  in  a  court,  shall  it  be  de 
nied  in  the  serious  one  of  preserving  a  country  from  con 
quest  and  ruin  ?  The  respondent  begs  leave  to  explain, 
that  in  using  this  argument,  he  does  not  mean  to  admit 
the  existence  of  necessity  in  the  case  of  attachment ;  but 
to  show  that  the  principle  of  a  justification  from  necessity 
is  admitted,  even  in  the  weaker  case.  If  the  legislature 
16 


182  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

of  the  United  States  have  given  to  courts  the  power  to 
punish  contempts,  it  is  no  answer  to  this  defence,  for  two 
reasons  :  first,  because  the  words  of  the  law  do  not  ne 
cessarily  exclude  the  intervention  of  a  jury  ;  and,  second 
ly,  if  they  do,  the  lav/  itself  is  contrary  to  the  words  of 
the  constitution,  and  can  only  be  supported  on  the  plea  of 
necessity ;  to  which  head  it  is  referred  by  the  English 
writers  on  the  subject. 

"  The  only  responsibility  which  has  been  incurred  in  the 
present  case,  is  that  which  arises  from  necessity.  This, 
the  respondent  agrees,  must  not  be  doubtful ;  it  must  be 
apparent,  from  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  or  it  forms 
no  justification.  He  submits  all  his  acts,  therefore,  to  be 
tested  by  this  rule. 

"  To  the  forcible  reasons  which  he  has  detailed,  as  im 
pelling  him  to  this  measure,  he  ought  to  add,  that  he  has 
since,  by  the  confession  of  the  enemy  himself,  received  a 
confirmation  of  the  opinions,  which  he  had  then  good  reason 
to  believe ;  that  there  were  men  among  us  so  depraved  as 
to  give  daily  and  exact  information  of  our  movements,  and 
our  forces ;  that  the  number  of  those  persons  was  consi 
derable,  and  their  activity  unceasing.  The  names  of  those 
wretches  will  probably  be  discovered ;  and  the  respondent 
persuades  himself,  that  this  tribunal  will  employ  itself, 
with  greater  satisfaction,  in  inflicting  the  punishment  due 
to  their  crimes,  than  it  now  does  in  investigating  the  mea 
sures  that  were  taken  to  counteract  them. 

"If  example  can  justify,  or  the  practice  of  others  serve 
as  a  proof  of  necessity,  the  respondent  has  ample  mate 
rials  for  his  defence  :  not  from  analogous  construction,  but 
from  the  conduct  of  all  the  different  departments  of  the 
state  government,  in  the  very  case  now  under  discus 
sion. 

"  The  legislature  of  the  state,  having  no  constitutional 
power  to  regulate  or  restrain  commerce,  on  the day 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  183 

of  December  last,  passed  an  act  laying  an  embargo :  the 
executive  sanctioned  it ;  and  from  a  conviction  of  its  ne 
cessity,  it  was  acquiesced  in.  The  same  legislature  shut 
up  the  courts  of  justice  for  four  months,  to  all  civil  suitors 
— the  same  executive  sanctioned  that  law,  and  the  judi 
ciary  not  only  acquiesced,  but  solemnly  approved  it. 

"  The  governor,  as  appears  by  one  of  the  letters  quoted, 
undertook  to  inflict  the  punishment  of  exile  upon  an  in 
habitant,  without  any  form  of  law,  merely  because  he 
thought  that  an  individual's  presence  might  be  dangerous 
to  the  public  safety. 

"  The  judge  of  this  very  court,  duly  impressed  with 
the  emergency  of  the  moment,  and  the  necessity  of  em 
ploying  every  means  of  defence,  consented  to  the  discharge 
of  men  committed  and  indicted  for  capital  crimes,  without 
bail,  and  without  recognizance ;  and  probably  under  an 
impression  that  the  exercise  of  his  functions  would  be  use 
less,  absented  himself  from  the  place  where  his  court  was 
to  be  holden,  and  postponed  its  session  during  a  regular 
term. 

"  Thus  the  conduct  of  the  legislative,  executive,  and 
judiciary  branches  of  the  government  of  this  state,  have 
borne  the  fullest  testimony  of  the  existence  of  the  neces 
sity  on  which  the  respondent  relies. 

"  The  unqualified  approbation  of  the  legislature  of  the 
United  States,  and  such  of  the  individual  states  as  were 
in  session,  ought  also  to  be  admitted,  as  no  slight  means 
of  defence  ;  inasmuch  as  all  these  respectable  bodies  were 
fully  apprised  of  his  proclamation  of  martial  law,  and 
some  of  them  seem  to  refer  to  it,  by  thanking  him  for  the 
energy  of  his  measures. 

"  The  respondent,  therefore,  believes  he  has  established 
the  necessity  of  proclaiming  martial  law.  He  has  shown 
the  effects  of  that  declaration ;  and  it  only  remains  to 
prove,  in  answer  to  the  rule,  that  the  power  assumed  from 


184  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

necessity,  was  not  abused  in  its  exercise,  nor  improperly 
protracted  in  its  duration. 

"  All  the  acts  mentioned  in  the  rule,  took  place  after 
the  enemy  had  retired  from  the  position  they  had  at  first 
assumed,  after  they  had  met  with  a  signal  defeat,  and  af 
ter  an  unofficial  account  had  been  received  of  the  signature 

O 

of  a  treaty  of  peace.  Each  of  these  circumstances  might 
be,  to  one  who  did  not  see  the  whole  ground,  a  sufficient 
reason  for  supposing  that  further  acts  of  energy  and  vi 
gor  were  unnecessary.  On  the  mind  of  the  respondent 
they  had  a  different  effect.  The  enemy  had  retired  from 
their  position,  it  is  true ;  but  they  were  still  on  the  coast, 
and  within  a  few  hours  sail  of  the  city.  They  had  been 
defeated,  and  with  a  loss  ;  but  the  loss  was  to  be  re 
paired  by  expected  reinforcements.  Their  numbers  still 
much  more  than  quadrupled  all  the  regular  forces  which 
the  respondent  could  command ;  and  the  term  of  service 
of  his  most  efficient  militia  force  was  about  to  expire.  De 
feat,  to  a  powerful  and  active  enemy,  was  more  likely  to 
operate  as  an  incentive  to  renewed  and  increased  exertion, 
than  to  inspire  them  with  despondency,  or  to  paralyze  their 
efforts.  A  treaty,  it  is  true,  had  been  probably  signed  ; 
yet  it  might  not  be  ratified.  Its  contents  had  not  trans 
pired,  and  no  reasonable  conjecture  could  be  formed,  that 
it  would  be  acceptable.  The  influence  which  the  account 
of  its  signature  had  on  the  army,  was  deleterious  in  the 
extreme,  and  showed  a  necessity  for  increased  energy, 
instead  of  a  relaxation  of  discipline.  Men,  who  had 
shown  themselves  zealous  in  the  preceding  part  of  the 
campaign,  now  became  lukewarm  in  the  service.  Those 
whom  no  danger  could  appal,  and  no  labor  discourage, 
complained  of  the  hardships  of  the  camp.  When  the 
enemy  were  no  longer  immediately  before  them,  they 
thought  themselves  oppressed,  by  being  detained  in  ser 
vice.  Wicked  and  weak  men,  who,  from  their  situation 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 


185 


in  life,  ought  to  have  furnished  a  better  example,  secretly 
encouraged  this  spirit  of  insubordination.  They  affected 
to  pity  the  hardships  of  those  who  were  kept  in  the  field  ; 
they  fomented  discontent,  by  insinuating  that  the  merits 
of  those  to  whom  they  addressed  themselves,  had  not  been 
sufficiently  noticed  or  applauded  ;  and  to  so  high  a  degree 
had  the  disorder  at  length  risen,  that  at  one  period,  only 
fifteen  men  and  one  officer,  out  cf  a  whole  regiment,  sta 
tioned  to  guard  the  very  avenue  through  which  the  enemy 
had  penetrated  into  the  country,  were  found  at  their  post. 
At  another  point  equally  important,  a  whole  corps,  on 
which  the  greatest  reliance  had  been  placed,  operated 
upon  by  the  acts  of  a  foreign  agent,  suddenly  deserted 
their  post. 

"  If  trusting  to  an  uncertain  peace,  the  respondent  had 
revoked  his  proclamation,  or  ceased  to  act  under  it,  the 
fatal  security,  by  which  we  were  lulled,  might  have  de 
stroyed  all  discipline,  have  dissolved  all  his  force,  and 
left  him  without  any  means  of  defending  the  country 
against  an  enemy,  instructed,  by  the  traitors  within  our 
own  bosom,  of  the  time  and  place  at  which  he  might  safely 
make  his  attack.  In  such  an  event,  his  life  might  have 
been  offered  up,  yet  it  would  have  been  but  a  feeble  expia 
tion,  for  the  disgrace  and  misery,  into  which,  by  his  cri 
minal  negligence,  he  had  permitted  the  country  to  be 
plunged. 

**  He  thought  peace  a  probable,  but  by  no  means  a  cer 
tain  event.  If  it  had  really  taken  place,  a  few  days  must 
bring  the  official  advice  of  it ;  and  he  believed  it  better  to 
submit,  during  those  few  days,  to  the  salutary  restraints 
imposed,  than  to  put  every  thing  dear  to  ourselves  and 
country  at  risk,  upon  an  uncertain  contingency.  Admit 
the  chances  to  have  been  a  hundred  or  a  thousand  to  one 
in  favor  of  the  ratification,  and  against  any  renewed  at 
tempts  of  the  enemy,  what  should  we  say  or  think  of  the 
16* 


186  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

prudence  of  the  man,  who  would  stake  his  life,  his  for 
tune,  his  country,  and  his  honor,  even  with  such  odds  in 
his  favor,  against  a  few  days'  anticipated  enjoyment  of 
the  blessings  of  peace  ?  The  respondent  could  not  bring 
himself  to  play  so  deep  a  hazard  ;  uninfluenced  by  the 
clamors  of  the  ignorant  and  designing,  he  continued  the 
exercise  of  that  law  which  necessity  had  compelled  him 
to  proclaim ;  and  he  still  thinks  himself  justified,  by  the 
situation  of  affairs,  for  the  course  which  he  adopted  and 
pursued.  Has  he  exercised  this  power  wantonly  or  im 
properly  ?  If  so,  he  is  liable ;  not,  as  he  believes,  to  this 
honorable  court  for  contempt,  but  to  his  government  for  an 
abuse  of  power,  and  to  those  individuals  whom  he  has  in 
jured,  in  damages  proportioned  to  that  injury. 

"  About  the  period  last  described,  the  consul  of  France, 
who  appears,  by  Governor  Claiborne's  letter,  to  have 
embarrassed  the  first  drafts,  by  his  claims  in  favor  of  pre 
tended  subjects  of  his  king,  renewed  his  interference  ;  his 
certificates  were  given  to  men  in  the  ranks  of  the  army ; 
to  some  who  had  never  applied,  and  to  others  who  wished 
to  use  them  as  the  means  of  obtaining  an  inglorious  ex 
emption  from  danger  and  fatigue.  The  immunity  derived 
from  these  certificates  not  only  thinned  the  ranks,  by  the 
withdrawal  of  those  to  whom  they  were  given,  but  pro 
duced  the  desertion  of  others,  who  thought  themselves 
equally  entitled  to  the  privilege ;  and  to  this  cause  must 
be  traced  the  abandonment  of  the  important  post  of  Chef 
Menteur,  and  the  temporary  refusal  of  a  relief  ordered  to 
occupy  it. 

"  Under  these  circumstances,  to  remove  the  force  of  an 
example  which  had  already  occasioned  such  dangerous 
consequences,  and  to  punish  those  who  were  so  unwilling 
to  defend  what  they  were  so  ready  to  enjoy,  the  respondent 
issued  a  general  order,  directing  those  French  subjects 
who  had  availed  themselves  of  the  consul's  certificates,  to 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  187 

remove  out  of  the  lines  of  defence,  and  far  enough  to 
avoid  any  temptation  of  intercourse  with  our  enemy,  whom 
they  were  so  scrupulous  of  opposing.  This  measure  was 
resorted  to,  as  the  mildest  mode  of  proceeding  against  a 
dangerous  and  increasing  evil ;  and  the  respondent  had 
the  less  scruple  of  his  power,  in  this  instance,  as  it  was 
not  quite  so  strong  as  that  which  Governor  Claiborne  had 
exercised,  before  the  invasion,  by  the  advice  of  his  attor 
ney  general,  in  the  case  of  Colonel  Coliel. 

"  It  created,  however,  some  sensation — discontents 
were  again  fomented,  from  the  source  that  had  first  pro 
duced  them.  Aliens  and  strangers  became  the  most  vio 
lent  advocates  of  constitutional  rights,  and  native  Ameri 
cans  were  taught  the  value  of  their  privileges,  by  those 
who  formerly  disavowed  any  title  to  their  enjoyment. 
The  order  was  particularly  opposed,  in  an  anonymous 
publication.  In  this,  the  author  deliberately  and  wick 
edly  misrepresented  the  order,  as  subjecting  to  removal, 
all  Frenchmen  whatever,  even  those  who  had  gloriously 
fought  in  defence  of  the  country :  and  after  many  dan 
gerous  and  unwarrantable  declarations,  he  closes,  by  call 
ing  upon  all  Frenchmen  to  flock  to  the  standard  of  their 
consul — thus  advising  and  producing  an  act  of  mutiny 
and  insubordination,  and  publishing  the  evidence  of  our 
weakness  and  discord  to  the  enemy,  who  were  still  in  our 
vicinity,  anxious,  no  doubt,  before  the  cessation  of  hos 
tilities,  to  wipe  away  the  late  stain  upon  their  arms.  To 
have  silently  looked  on  such  an  offence,  without  making 
any  attempt  to  punish  it,  would  have  been  formal  surren 
der  of  all  discipline,  all  order,  all  personal  dignity,  and 
public  safety.  This  could  not  be  done ;  and  the  respon 
dent  immediately  ordered  the  arrest  of  the  offender.  A 
writ  of  habeas  corpus  was  directed  to  issue  for  his  en 
largement.  The  very  case  which  had  been  foreseen,  the 
very  contingency  on  which  martial  law  was  intended  to 


188  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

operate,  had  now  occurred  :  the  civil  magistrate  seemed 
to  think  it  his  duty  to  enforce  the  enjoyment  of  civil 
rights,  although  the  consequences  which  have  been  de 
scribed  would  probably  have  resulted.  An  unbending- 
sense  of  what  he  seemed  to  think  his  station  required, 
induced  him  to  order  the  liberation  of  the  prisoner.  This, 
under  the  respondent's  sense  of  duty,  produced  a  conflict 
which  it  was  his  wish  to  avoid. 

No  other  course  remained,  than  to  enforce  the  princi 
ples  which  he  had  laid  down  as  his  guide,  and  to  suspend 
the  exercise  of  this  judicial  power,  wherever  it  interfered 
with  the  necessary  means  of  defence.  The  only  way  ef 
fectually  to  do  this,  was  to  place  the  judge  in  a  situation 
in  which  his  interference  could  not  counteract  the  mea 
sures  of  defence,  or  give  countenance  to  the  mutinous  dis 
position  that  had  shown  itself  in  so  alarming  a  degree. 
Merely  to  have  disregarded  the  writ,  would  but  have  in 
creased  the  evil ;  and  to  have  obeyed  it,  was  wholly  repug 
nant  to  the  respondent's  ideas  of  the  public  safety,  and  to 
his  own  sense  of  duty.  The  judge  was  therefore  confined, 
and  removed  beyond  the  lines  of  defence. 

"  As  to  the  paper  mentioned  in  the  rule,  which  the  re 
spondent  is  charged  with  taking  and  detaining,  he  answers, 
that  when  the  writ  was  produced  by  the  clerk  of  this  ho 
norable  court,  the  date  of  its  issuance  appeared  to  have 
been  altered  from  the  5th  to  the  6th.  He  was  questioned 
respecting  the  apparent  alteration,  and  acknowledged  it 
had  been  done  by  Judge  Hall,  and  not  in  the  presence  of 
the  party  who  made  the  affidavit.  This  material  altera 
tion,  in  a  paper  that  concerned  him,  gave  the  respondent, 
as  he  thought,  a  right  to  detain  it  for  further  investigation, 
which  he  accordingly  did  ;  but  gave  a  certified  copy,  and 
an  acknowledgment  that  the  original  was  in  his  posses 
sion. 

"  The  respondent  avows,  that  he  considered  this  altera- 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 


189 


tion  in  the  date  of  the  affidavit,  as  it  was  then  explained  to 
him  by  the  clerk,  to  be  such  evidence  of  a  personal,  not 
judicial,  interference,  and  activity,  in  behalf  of  a  mar. 
charged  with  the  most  serious  offence,  as  justified  the  idee 
then  formed,  that  the  judge  approved  his  conduct,  and  sup 
ported  his  attempts  to  excite  disaffection  among  the  troops. 

"  This  was  the  conduct  of  the  respondent,  and  these 
the  motives  which  prompted  it.  They  have  been  fairly 
and  openly  exposed  to  this  tribunal,  and  to  the  world,  and 
would  not  have  been  accompanied  by  any  exception  or 
waiver  of  jurisdiction,  if  it  had  been  deemed  expedient  to 
give  him  that  species  of  trial,  to  which  he  thinks  himself 
entitled,  by  the  constitution  of  his  country.  The  powers 
which  the  exigency  of  the  times  forced  him  to  assume, 
have  been  exercised  exclusively  for  the  public  good  ;  and 
by  the  blessing  of  God,  they  have  been  attended  with  un 
paralleled  success.  They  have  saved  the  country ;  and 
whatever  may  be  the  opinion  of  that  country,  or  the  de 
crees  of  its  courts,  in  relation  to  the  means  he  has  used, 
he  can  never  regret  that  he  employed  them." 

This  defence  requires  no  comment.  At  a  subsequent 
day  he  attended  to  receive  sentence,  and  when  the  judge, 
trembling  at  the  murmurs  of  the  indignant  crowd,  hesi 
tated  to  pronounce  it,  "  Fear  not,"  said  the  illustrious  pri 
soner,  waving  the  multitude  to  silence  with  his  hand — 
"  fear  not,  your  honor ;  the  same  arm  which  repelled  the 
invasion  of  the  enemy,  shall  protect  the  deliberations  of 
this  court."  The  sublime  humility  of  the  patriot  general 
did  not  end  here.  The  ladies  of  New  Orleans,  whose 
persons  had  been  saved  from  terror  and  pollution,  not 
by  the  habeas  corpus,  but  by  his  valor,  contributed  a 
fund  to  discharge  the  fine.  But  they  found  he  had  an 
ticipated  them — had  paid  one  thousand  dollars  out  of  his 
small  fortune,  the  whole  of  which  he  had  pledged  to  the 
bank  of  New  Orleans,  to  raise  money  for  its  defence,  and 


190  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

when  their  gratitude  would  force  the  contribution  upon 
him,  he  preserved  his  independence,  and  displayed  his 
humanity,  by  requesting  that  the  money  should  be  ap 
plied  to  the  relief  of  the  widows  and  orphans  of  the  brave 
citizens  who  had  fallen  in  the  campaign. 

Could  Washington  himself  have  have  shown  greater 
respect  to  the  laws,  or  greater  fidelity  to  the  country  ? 
It  has  been  said  that  Washington  never  refused  to  com 
ply  with  the  civil  process.  But  he  was  a  dictator,  and 
who  ever  dared  to  oppose  the  civil  process  against  his 
power  ?  Did  he  not  execute  deserters  without  even  a 
military  trial  ?  Did  he  not  punish  mutineers  by  decima 
tion  and  instant  death  ?  Did  he  not  forage  in  New  Jersey 
as  in  an  enemy's  country — in  each  case  on  the  ground  of 
necessity  ?  He  did,  and  his  conscience  and  his  country 
both  approved  him  :  while  General  Jackson,  acting  with 
less  rigor,  under  equal  necessity,  is  denounced  as  "  the 
agent  of  illegal  enormities." 

General  Jackson  retired  from  the  court ;  and,  in  spite  of 
his  exertions,  he  was  borne  in  triumph  through  the  streets 
to  his  lodgings  by  the  grateful  citizens.  He  seized  the 
first  interval,  which  the  expression  of  their  applause  would 
permit,  to  address  them.  He  told  them,  that  two  great 
lessons  might  be  learned  from  the  events  which  had  hap 
pened  since  he  had  been  among  them.  The  first  was, 
however  inadequate  might  be  the  apparent  means,  never 
to  despair  of  their  country  ;  never  to  refuse  any  sacrifice 
that  might  be  necessary  for  its  preservation  ;  and  when 
ever  the  danger  was  past,  to  submit  cheerfully  to  the  ope 
ration  of  the  laws,  even  when  they  punished  acts  which 
were  done  to  preserve  them.  That,  for  his  own  part,  he 
knew  that  what  he  had  done  could  only  be  justified  by 
necessity ;  and  to  prevent  that  necessity  from  becoming 
the  pretext  for  oppression,  it  was  perhaps  right  that  he 
who  resorted  to  it  should  undergo  the  penalty  of  the  law, 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  191 

and  find  his  indemnity  in  the  approbation  of  his  own  con 
science,  and  the  evidence  that  his  acts  were  done  only  to 
serve  his  country. 

Thus  ended  this  memorable  trial,  and  it  is  a  subject 
of  regret  that  many  of  his  countrymen  are  still  to  be  found, 
who  condemn  General  Jackson  for  the  measures  he 
adopted  from  the  dictation  of  the  sternest  necessity,  for 
raising  the  reputation  of  his  country,  and  defending  one 
of  its  fairest  cities  from  the  horrors  of  assault,  by  a  vic 
tory  as  splendid  as  any  recorded  in  history.  There  are 
many  yet,  who  depreciate  the  consequences  of  this  vic 
tory  ;  who  would  tear  from  the  brows  of  the  brave  men 
who  gained  it,  the  laurels  which  their  courage  and  pa 
triotism  have  won;  who  would  blot  the  bright  page  of 
our  history  in  which  the  achievement  is  recorded,  and 
would  persuade  the  people  of  the  United  States  that  in 
saving  a  populous  city  from  plunder,  the  wives  and  daugh 
ters  of  its  inhabitants  from  violation,  its  churches  from 
being  profaned,  and  a  whole  state  from  the  humiliation  of 
conquest,  the  brave  men  who  effected  it,  and  the  leader 
by  whose  courage,  energy,  and  skill,  they  were  animated 
and  directed,  had  done  nothing  to  deserve  the  gratitude 
of  their  country ;  and  that  the  United  States  had  gained 
neither  honor  nor  advantage  from  a  victory  that  will  pre 
serve  the  name  of  the  chief  who  obtained  it,  ages  after 
those  of  his  detractors  shall  cease  to  be  remembered. 

Nor  is  it  enough  to  snatch  from  him  the  honors  he  has 
already  won — the  means  of  acquiring  them  in  future 
must  be  destroyed — every  power  exercised  by  a  com 
mander  in  defence  of  his  country,  must  be  called  an  of 
fence — every  act  of  discipline  must  be  considered  a  viola 
tion  of  personal  liberty — mutiny,  desertion,  insubordina 
tion  of  every  kind,  must  be  punished  at  the  hazard  of  be 
ing  proclaimed  a  tyrant  and  murderer.  The  wretch, 
who,  when  called  upon  to  defend  his  country  in  the  hour 


192  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

of  extreme  danger,  meanly  abandons  his  post,  and  sets 
the  authority  of  his  officer  at  defiance — the  three  times 
pardoned  deserter — the  instigator  and  associate  of  the 
savage,  who  butchers  unprotected  women  and  children — 
the  savage,  himself  who  executes  this  work  of  destruction — 
are  held  up  to  public  commiseration  as  suffering  martyrs, 
because  they  were  made  to  pay  the  penalty  of  their 
crimes.  If  these  objections  are  to  have  effect,  and  be  con 
sidered  valid,  where  is  the  commander,  who  will  dare  to 
enforce  discipline,  or  exercise  any  powers  necessary  for 
the  defence  of  his  country  :  for  where  is  there  one  that 
may  not  be  called  an  invasion  of  civil  rights  ?  If  he  en 
camp  his  army  on  the  highway,  it  obstructs  its  free  use ; 
if  he  turn  aside  into  a  neighboring  field,  it  is  trespass  ;  if 
he  burn  a  house  to  save  a  retreat,  it  is  arson  ;  if  he  seizes 
provisions  to  feed  his  famishing  troops,  it  is  robbery  ;  if 
he  punish  a  deserter,  it  is  murder  ;  if  he  prevent  judges 
and  lawyers  and  sheriffs  from  taking  his  sentinels  from 
their  posts,  by  writs  of  habeas  corpus,  it  is  a  violation  of 
constitutional  right ;  and  if  he  will  not  suffer  a  printer, 
in  a  besieged  town,  to  publish  intelligence  to  the  enemy, 
and  excite  disobedience  in  his  camp,  it  violates  the  sacred 
liberty  of  the  press !  The  only  mode  for  those  who  hold 
this  doctrine,  is  to  contrive  some  means  by  which  they 
may  clear  the  country  of  an  invading  enemy,  by  a  writ  of 
forcible  entry,  and  make  him  give  up  his  post  by  an 
ejectment.  The  censures  of  General  Jackson  on  this 
ground,  are  too  absurd  even  for  ridicule,  and  show  that 
the  authors  of  them  despise  the  understanding  of  those  to 
whom  they  are  addressed. 

This  authentic  detail,  we  think,  cannot  fail  of  convin 
cing  our  readers,  that,  in  the  prosecution  of  this  glorious 
campaign  in  Louisiana,  the  commanding  general  united 
prudence  to  energy — humanity  to  the  highest  exertion  of 
courage — a  creative  genius  to  provide  resources,  with 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  193 

wisdom  in  their  employment — courtesy  with  dignity,  in 
his  intercourse  with  the  enemy  to  whom  he  was  opposed ; 
— that,  in  the  moment  of  triumph  and  success,  his  reli 
gion  attributed  them  to  the  interposition  of  Heaven  as  the 
great  cause,  and  his  modesty  and  justice  acknowledged 
his  brave  companions  in  arms  as  the  means  by  which 
they  were  attained  ; — and  that  he  cheerfully  submitted  to 
the  laws  of  his  country,  when  their  operation  punished 
him  for  acts  by  which  those  laws  and  the  constitution 
were  preserved.* 

*  Livingston's  Address. 
17 


194  BIOGRAPHY  OP 


CHAPTER  XII. 

General  Jackson  returns  to  Nashville — Receives  the  con 
gratulations  of  his  countrymen — He  is  appointed  Com 
mander-in-chief  of  the  southern  military  division  of 
the  United  States — Vote  of  thanks  to  him,  from  the 
Tennessee  legislature — Repairs  to  Washington — Re 
ceives  the  congratulations  of  the  citizens  of  Lynchburg 
at  a  public  dinner — Returns  to  Nashville — Proceeds 
from  thence  to  New  Orleans — Grateful  reception  from 
the  inhabitants — He  concludes  a  treaty  with  the  Indians 
— Issues  a  general  order — Defence  of  it. 

GENERAL  JACKSON  bade  adieu  to  the  grateful  citizens 
of  New  Orleans,  and  commenced  his  journey  to  Nash 
ville.  During  his  journey,  he  was  received  in  all  the 
places  through  which  he  passed,  with  every  demonstra 
tion  of  regard,  and  greeted  as  one  who  had  done  the  most 
signal  services  for  his  countrymen,  in  protecting  them 
from  the  horrors  of  foreign  invasion.  He  arrived  at  Nash 
ville  on  the  18th  of  May,  1815,  and  was  received  with 
very  flattering  indications  of  respect  by  his  fellow-citizens. 

The  disbanding  of  the  army,  after  the  declaration  of 
peace,  took  place.  Ten  thousand  troops  were  all  that 
constituted  the  standing  army  of  the  United  States,  which 
consisted  of  two  divisions,  the  northern  and  southern. 
General  Jackson  was  appointed  commander-in-chief  of 
the  southern  division.  His  appointment  to  this  command 
was  received  with  universal  approbation.  His  ability  to 
command  had  been  proved,  by  his  numerous  successes 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  195 

over  the  most  warlike  nation  of  savages,  and  the  best  ap 
pointed  armies  in  the  world,  under  the  most  disadvanta 
geous  circumstances. 

He  established  his  head-quarters  at  Nashville,  where 
he  continued  to  receive  the  flattering  indications  of  the 
gratitude  of  his  countrymen.  From  various  legislatures 
he  received  votes  of  thanks,  expressing,  in  appropriate 
terms,  their  approbation  of  his  services.  The  legislature 
of  Tennessee  were  among  the  first  to  manifest  their  re 
gard  for  the  character  and  achievements  of  General 
Jackson.  They  passed  a  vote  of  thanks,  and  presented 
him  with  a  gold  medal.  They  also  presented  elegant 
swords  to  Generals  Coffee  and  Carroll,  his  gallant  asso 
ciates.  Toward  the  close  of  the  autumn  of  1815,  he  re 
paired  to  the  seat  of  government.  On  his  journey  thither, 
he  was  received  with  those  acclamations,  which  a  grate 
ful  people  ever  bestow  upon  a  distinguished  benefactor. 
Although  in  time  of  war,  he  avoided  all  parade  and  cere 
monies  inconsistent  with  the  demands  of  duty ;  yet  he 
felt  no  disinclination,  at  this  period,  to  a  compliance  with 
the  wishes  of  his  countrymen,  to  mingle  with  them  at  the 
convivial  board,  and  reciprocate  their  civility  and  hospi 
tality. 

A  public  dinner  was  given  him  at  Lynchburg,  in  Vir 
ginia,  at  which  THOMAS  JEFFERSON,  the  sage  of 
Monticello,  was  present.  The  hilarity  and  good  feel 
ing  exhibited  on  this  occasion,  was  indicative  of  the 
high  estimation  in  which  these  two  distinguished  patriots 
were  held  by  their  countrymen.  It  was  on  this  occasion 
that  Mr.  Jefferson  gave  his  celebrated  toast,  "  HONOR 
AND  GRATITUDE  TO  THE  MAN  WHO  HAS 
FILLED  THE  MEASURE  OF  HIS  COUNTRY'S 
GLORY."  On  his  arrival  at  Washington,  he  was  re 
ceived  with  much  cordial  affability  by  the  president,  and 
the  heads  of  the  several  departments  of  government. 


196  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

After  a  short  sojourn  in  Washington,  he  returned  again 
to  Nashville. 

In  the  spring  of  1816,  General  Jackson  repaired  to 
New  Orleans,  the  scene  of  his  brilliant  military  opera 
tions.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  joy  of  the  inhabitants, 
on  receiving  again  into  their  city  the  distinguished  pro 
tector  of  their  dearest  rights  from  carnage  and  violation. 
After  the  mutual  congratulations  of  their  meeting  were 
past,  he  reviewed  the  troops  at  that  station,  and  finding 
them  unhealthy,  resolved  to  have  them  removed  to  the 
Alabama  territory,  which  was  soon  after  effected. 

The  most  exposed  part  of  the  southern  division,  was 
that  which  bordered  on  the  Spanish  provinces  of  Florida, 
which  was  inhabited  by  the  Alabama  and  Seminole  In 
dians.  General  Jackson  was  aware  that  the  stationing  of 
American  troops  upon  their  borders,  would  tend  to  re 
strain  their  barbarity ;  and  their  aggressions  could  be 
more  promptly  punished.  Subsequent  events  showed  the 
wisdom  of  this  measure. 

After  regulating  and  stationing  the  army  in  the  south 
ern  section  of  his  division,  General  Jackson,  inaccord- 
ance  with  previous  instructions,  entered  into  negotiations 
with  the  Chickasaw,  Choctaw,  Cherokee,  and  Creek 
nations.  The  object  of  the  negotiation,  was  to  obtain 
from  them  the  absolute  relinquishment  of  all  the  claim 
they  pretended  to  have  to  lands  within  the  limits  of  the 
United  States,  and  which  had  previously  been  ceded  by 
them.  This  measure  evinced  the  moderation  of  the 
American  government  toward  the  natives.  Although  the 
territory  had  before  been  obtained,  first  by  conquest,  after 
a  sanguinary  war,  occasioned  by  the  savages  themselves, 
and  afterwards  by  treaty  with  them,  by  which  they  ac 
knowledged  their  gratitude  to  the  government  for  permit 
ting  them  to  retain  any  territory,  yet,  to  pacify  them  com 
pletely,  for  the  diminution  of  their  limits,  and  to  extin- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  197 

guish  their  title,  General  Jackson  concluded  a  treaty  with 
them,  the  particulars  of  which  are  well  known  to  the 
public. 

This  important  measure  accomplished,  he  repaired  to 
Huntsville,  in  the  state  of  Mississippi,  and  published  an 
order  which  was  sanctioned  by  the  government,  by  which 
all  citizens  of  the  United  States,  were  enjoined  to  abstain 
from  all  encroachments  upon  Indian  lands,  and  ordered 
such  as  had,  to  be  removed  in  a  limited  number  of  days. 

In  October,  1816,  he  returned  to  his  head-quarters  at 
Nashville.  In  the  spring  of  1817,  he  issued  the  follow 
ing  general  order  to  his  division  : 

"  The  commanding  general  considers  it  due  to  the 
principles  of  subordination,  which  ought,  and  must  exist 
in  an  army,  to  prohibit  the  obedience  of  any  order  ema 
nating  from  the  department  of  war,  to  officers  of  this  divi 
sion,  who  have  reported  and  been  assigned  to  duty,  unless 
coming  through  him,  as  the  proper  organ  of  communica 
tion.  The  object  of  this  order,  is  to  prevent  the  recur 
rence  of  a  circumstance,  which  removed  an  important 
officer  from  the  division  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
commanding  general,  and  indeed,  when  he  supposed  that 
officer  engaged  in  his  official  duties,  and  anticipated 
hourly  the  receipt  of  his  official  reports,  on  a  subject  of 
great  importance  to  his  command ;  also  to  prevent  the 
topographical  reports  from  being  made  public  through 
the  medium  of  the  newspapers,  as  was  done  in  the  case 
alluded  to,  thereby  enabling  the  enemy  to  obtain  the  be 
nefit  of  all  our  topographical  researches,  as  soon  as  the 
general  commanding,  who  is  responsible  for  the  division. 
Superior  officers,  having  commands  assigned  them,  are 
held  responsible  to  the  government,  for  the  character  and 
conduct  of  that  command ;  and  it  might  as  well  be  justi 
fied  in  an  officer,  senior  in  command,  to  give  orders  to  a 
guard  on  duty,  without  passing  that  order  through  the 


BIOGRAPHY    OF 

officer  of  that  guard,  as  that  the  department  of  war 
should  countermand  the  arrangements  of  commanding 
generals,  without  giving  their  order  through  the  proper 
channel.  To  acquiesce  in  such  a  course,  would  be  a 
tame  surrender  of  military  rights  and  etiquette  ;  and  at 
once  subvert  the  established  principles  of  subordination 
and  good  order.  Obedience  to  the  lawful  commands  of 
superior  officers,  is  constitutionally  and  morally  required  : 
but  there  is  a  chain  of  communication  that  binds  the 
military  compact,  which,  if  broken,  opens  the  door  to 
disobedience  and  disrespect,  and  gives  loose  to  the  turbu 
lent  spirits,  who  are  ever  ready  to  excite  mutiny.  All 
physicians,  able  to  perform  duty,  who  are  absent  on  fur 
lough,  will  forthwith  repair  to  their  respective  posts. 
Commanding  officers  of  regiments  and  corps,  are  ordered 
to  report  specially  all  officers  absent  from  duty,  and  their 
cause  of  absence." 

For  issuing  this  general  order,  General  Jackson  has 
received  much  severe  animadversion.  The  circumstan 
ces  explaining  and  justifying  this  measure,  are  the  follow 
ing  :  While  General  Jackson  was  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  it  occurred  several  times,  and  at  seasons 
of  the  greatest  pressure,  that  officers  to  whom  he  had  as 
signed  important  duties,  were  silently  withdrawn  from 
their  posts  by  orders  from  some  subaltern  in  the  line, 
stationed  as  a  deputy  in  the  adjutant  and  inspector  gene 
ral^  office  at  Washington.  On  the  1st  of  October,  1814, 
for  example,  just  a  fortnight  after  the  first  attack  on  Fort 
Bowyer,  and  while  the  whole  British  armament  was 
hovering  between  Mobile  and  New  Orleans,  an  order 
was  issued  from  the  war  department,  signed  John  R. 
Bell,  deputy  inspector  general,  directing  Colonel  Sparks, 
and  the  officers  of  the  second  regiment,  including  the  gal 
lant  Major  Lawrence,  to  proceed  forthwith  on  the  re 
cruiting  service  !  This  order  was  received  while  Gene- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  199 

ral  Jackson  was  effecting  the  timely  expulsion  of  the 
British  from  Pensacola,  and  had  left  Mobile  in  the  charge 
of  Colonel  Sparks,  and  Fort  Bowyer  in  that  of  Major 
Lawrence.  With  commendable  prudence,  these  officers 
declined  obedience,  and  remained  at  their  posts.  General 
Jackson  complained  of  it  to  the  government,  pointed  out 
the  serious  consequences  that  might  have  been  produced 
by  it,  and  suggested  the  propriety  of  communicating,  in 
future,  all  orders  to  his  subordinates  through  him,  inas 
much  as  his  capacity  to  defend  the  extensive  and  defence 
less  line  of  territory  committed  to  his  charge,  would  be 
destroyed,  if  the  officers  on  whose  vigilance  and  exertions 
he  depended,  were  removed  from  their  stations  without 
his  knowledge. 

This  representation  received  no  effectual  attention  from 
the  government,  and  the  anomalous  practice  it  condemned 
continued  at  intervals  to  prevail.  A  forcible  instance  oc 
curred  in  the  person  of  Major  Long,  who,  having  report 
ed  himself  under  a  regular  order  to  General  Jackson  for 
duty,  was  directed  by  him  to  the  upper  Mississippi,  for 
the  purpose  of  sketching  the  topography  of  a  district  in 
that  quarter,  upon  which  a  contest  with  the  Indians  was 
then  apprehended.  The  next  thing  the  general  heard  of 
his  engineer,  was,  while  he  was  anxiously  expecting  his 
report,  (through  a  newspaper  in  New  York,)  that  the 
major  had  sometime  since  established  himself  in  that  city, 
in  obedience  to  an  order  from  the  war  department. 

On  the  4th  March,  1817,  General  Jackson  appealed  to 
Mr.  Monroe  (the  president)  on  the  subject,  reiterated  his 
former  reasons  against  the  irregularity,  and  deprecated 
with  much  earnestness  its  prevalence  in  his  division, 
when  no  emergencies  of  war  existed  to  require  it,  and 
when  his  head-quarters  were  at  Nashville,  a  point  of  con 
venient  distribution  for  orders  directed  by  mail  to  the  va 
rious  military  stations  in  the  south  and  west.  This  com- 


300  BIOGRAPHY   Or 

munication,  like  the  former,  proving  ineffectual,  and  de 
termined  no  longer  to  have  more  responsibility  than 
power,  he  took  measures  to  bring  the  subject  before  the 
government,  in  a  way  that  would  admit  of  no  further  ne 
glect. 

On  the  22d  of  April,  he  issued  the  general  order  which 
has  been  presented  to  our  readers,  forbidding  the  officers 
of  his  division  to  obey  any  order  from  the  war  depart 
ment,  which  did  not  pass  through  the  office  of  his  adju 
tant  general.  About  two  months  after  this,  the  president 
still  declining  any  decision  on  the  matter,  and  suffering 
it  to  fester  by  delay,  an  order  was  issued  from  the  war 
department,  to  General  Ripley,  then  in  command  at  New 
Orleans  ;  which,  in  compliance  with  General  Jackson's 
general  order,  he  did  not  obey.  Finding  one  of  his  of 
ficers  involved  in  difficulty  by  an  act  of  military  subordi 
nation  and  fidelity,  General  Jackson  immediately  assumed 
an  attitude  which  none  but  a  martinet  can  fail  to  admire. 
In  a  letter  to  the  president,  of  the  12th  August,  1817,  he 
referred  to  his  former  communications  on  this  subject, 
and  to  the  cases  which  had  produced  them — repeated  the 
substance  of  his  general  order,  and  stated  the  dilemma  of 
General  Ripley,  and  with  his  characteristic  spirit  arid 
honor,  thus  relieved  him  from  all  responsibility :  "  This 
has  given  rise  to  proper  disobedience  of  General  Ripley, 
to  the  order  of  the  department  of  war  above  alluded  to,  for 
which  I  hold  myself  responsible."  He  adds,  "  In  the 
view  I  took  of  this  subject  on  the  fourth  of  March,  I  had 
flattered  myself  you  would  coincide,  and  had  hoped  to 
receive  your  answer  before  a  recurrence  of  a  similar  in 
fringement  of  military  rule  rendered  it  necessary  for  me 
to  call  your  attention  thereto.  None  are  infallible  in 
their  opinions,  but  it  is  nevertheless  necessary,  that  all 
should  act  agreeably  to  their  convictions  of  right.  My 
convictions  in  favor  of  the  course  I  hare  pursued  are 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  201 

strong,  and,  should  it  become  necessary,  I  will  willingly 
meet  a  fair  investigation  before  a  military  tribunal.  The 
good  of  the  service,  and  the  dignity  of  the  commission  I 
hold,  alone  actuate  me.  My  wishes  for  retirement  have 
already  been  made  known  to  you  ;  but,  under  existing  cir 
cumstances,  my  duty  to  the  officers  of  my  division  forbids 
it,  until  this  subject  is  fairly  understood."  The  final  de 
cision,  when  it  came,  was,  that  orders  to  inferiors  should 
pass  through  the  commanding  officer  of  the  division,  al 
ways  thereafter,  unless  in  case  of  necessity  ;  thus  admit 
ting  a  principle  contended  for  by  General  Jackson,  and 
terminating  a  practice,  which,  under  the  aspect  of  legal 
authority,  was  subversive  of  discipline,  injurious  to  ser 
vice,  and  repugnant  to  justice. 

It  is  true  that  by  the  constitution,  the  president  is  com- 
mander-in-chief  of  the  army,  and  that,  by  a  custom  almost 
equivalent  to  law,  the  orders  of  the  secretary  are  consi 
dered  the  orders  of  the  president,  and  that,  among  the 
illegitimate  descendants  of  this  custom,  was  the  practice 
of  confiding  the  power  of  the  department  to  lieutenants  of 
the  line,  whose  enormous  deviations  from  propriety,  as 
in  the  order  to  Colonel  Sparks,  brought  it  into  question 
and  disrepute.  But  the  president  is  commander-in-chief, 
only  in  the  same  sense  in  which  the  general  is  comman 
der  of  his  division,  and  has  no  stronger  claim  to  the  obe 
dience  of  the  general,  than  the  latter  has  to  the  obedience 
of  the  colonel ;  and  his  orders,  whether  issued  under  his 
sign  manual,  or  through  the  secretary  of  war,  or  the  im 
posing  instrumentality  of  a  subaltern,  are  to  be  restrained 
by  the  laws  of  congress  and  the  principles  of  the  constitu 
tion.  No  man  will  contend,  that  his  authority  in  the 
army  is  absolute — that  he  can  of  his  own  accord  inflict 
capital  punishment  on  a  soldier — can  make  a  lieutenant 
command  a  captain — a  colonel  a  general,  or  exact  duty 
from  either  without  allowing  him  his  proper  rank.  Now 


202  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  essence  of  rank  consists  in  the  superiority  of  com 
mand,  which  it  confers ;  and  any  order  of  the  president 
making  an  inferior  disobey  the  orders  of  his  superior,  is 
a  derogation  of  the  rank  of  that  superior,  and  produces  a 
disorder,  the  removal  of  which  necessarily  exposes  to  dis 
turbance,  in  a  similar  and  equivalent  degree,  the  authority 
of  the  president  over  the  superior. 

The  order  to  Colonel  Sparks  required  a  direct  and  vio 
lent  disobedience  to  General  Jackson's  command,  as  that 
to  Major  Long  effected  it.  To  have  rendered  these 
orders  entirely  legal  and  expedient,  they  should  have  been 
communicated  through  the  commanding  general.  They 
would  then  have  preserved  the  just  equality  between  re 
sponsibility  and  power,  which  the  nature  of  delegated 
authority  requires.  And  instead  of  causing  one  act  of 
obedience,  and  one  of  disobedience,  they  would  have  pro 
duced  two  acts  of  perfect  obedience,  through  agents  re 
lated  in  due  subordination  to  each  other.  The  course 
pursued  by  the  government,  moreover,  involved  the  sig 
nal  injustice  of  fixing  publicly  the  proportion  of  General 
Jackson's  power  and  responsibility,  upon  which  propor 
tion,  it  must  be  presumed,  he  consented  to  assume  the 
latter  ;  and  then  privately,  and  without  his  knowledge, 
reducing  the  former  below  that  proportion,  by  a  proceed 
ing  much  in  the  nature  of  an  ex  post  facto  law.  The 
silence  and  hesitation  persevered  in,  respecting  his  re 
monstrances,  while  they  tended  to  produce  an  impression 
that  the  reasons  he  advanced  were  not  disapproved,  cre 
ated  a  strong  demand  for  the  decisive  measures  he  adopt 
ed,  and  the  fact  which  is  but  too  apparent  that  the  irregu 
larity  he  complained  of,  was  calculated,  if  continued,  to 
disappoint  the  department,  as  well  as  the  general,  as  it 
might  be  retorted  by  the  latter  in  various  perplexing 
ways,  furnishes  another  strong  objection  to  it.  Its  only 
excuse  is  a  complete  justification  of  it,  where  it  can  be 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  203 

shown,  and  a  marked  condemnation  of  it,  where  it  cannot 
be  shown ;  viz.  necessity.  To  this  fair  adjustment  and 
full  redress,  General  Jackson  brought  this  abuse  in  the 
service,  and  for  the  spirit  and  judgment  he  displayed  on 
that  occasion  alone,  he  deserves  the  gratitude  of  the  army, 
and  the  respect  of  his  fellowrcitizens. 


204 


BIOGRAPHY  OF 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Causes  that  led  to  the  Seminole  war — General  Jackson 
invades  Florida — Is  censured  for  it — Defence  of  the 
measure — His  letter  to  the  governor  of  Georgia — De 
tail  of  the  causes  which  elicited  it — Destruction  of  the 
Chehaw  village,  and  its  consequences. 

OUR  readers  will  recollect  that  in  the  month  of  August, 
1814,  while  a  war  existed  between  the  United  States  and 
Great  Britain,  to  which  Spain  had  formally  declared  her 
self  neutral,  a  British  force,  not  in  the  fresh  pursuit  of  a 
defeated  and  flying  enemy,  not  overstepping  an  imagi 
nary  and  equivocal  boundary  between  their  own  territo 
ries,  and  those  belonging,  in  some  sort,  as  much  to  their 
enemy  as  to  Spain ;  but  approaching  by  sea,  and  by  a 
broad  and  open  invasion  of  the  Spanish  province,  at  a 
thousand  miles,  or  an  ocean's  distance  from  any  British 
territory,  landed  in  Florida,  took  possession  of  Pensacola, 
and  the  fort  of  Barrancas,  and  invited  by  public  procla 
mations  all  the  runaway  negroes,  all  the  savage  Indians, 
all  the  pirates,  and  all  the  traitors  to  their  country,  whom 
they  knew,  or  imagined  to  exist,  within  reach  of  their 
summons,  to  join  their  standard,  and  wage  an  extermina 
ting  war  against  the  portion  of  the  United  States,  imme 
diately  bordering  upon  this  neutral,  and  thus  violated 
territory  of  Spain.  The  land  commander  of  this  British 
force,  it  will  be  recollected,  was  the  famous  Colonel  Ni- 
choll,  of  proclamation  memory,  who,  driven  from  Pensa 
cola  by  the  approach  of  General  Jackson,  actually  left, 
to  be  blown  up,  the  Spanish  fort  of  Barrancas,  when  he 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  205 

found  it  could  not  afford  him  protection ;  and  evacuating 
that  part  of  the  province,  landed  at  another,  established 
himself  on  the  Apalachicola  river,  and  there  erected  a 
fort,  from  which  to  sally  forth  with  his  motley  tribe  of 
black,  white,  and  red  combatants,  against  the  defenceless 
borders  of  the  United  States,  in  that  vicinity.  A  part  of 
this  force  consisted  of  a  corps  of  colonial  marines,  levied 
in  the  British  colonies,  in  which  George  Woodbine  was 
a  captain,  and  Robert  Christie  Ambrister  was  a  lieute 
nant. 

As  between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  this 
transaction  would  have  been  buried  in  the  same  grave  of 
oblivion,  with  other  transactions  of  that  war,  had  the  hos 
tilities  of  Colonel  Nicholl  terminated  with  the  war.  But 
he  did  not  consider  the  peace  which  ensued  between  the 
United  States  and  Great  Britain,  as  having  put  an  end, 
either  to  his  military  occupations,  or  to  his  negotiations 
with  the  Indians  against  the  United  States.  Several 
months  after  the  ratification  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  he  re 
tained  his  post,  and  his  party-colored  forces,  in  military 
array.  By  the  ninth  article  of  that  treaty,  the  United 
States  had  stipulated  to  put  an  end,  immediately  after  its 
ratification,  to  hostilities  with  all  the  tribes  or  nations  of 
Indians,  with  whom  they  might  be  at  war  at  the  time  of 
the  ratification,  and  to  restore  to  them  all  the  possessions 
which  they  had  enjoyed  in  the  year  1811.  This  article 
had  no  application  to  the  Creek  Nation,  with  whom  the 
United  States  had  already  made  peace,  by  a  treaty  con 
cluded  on  the  ninth  day  of  August,  1814,  more  than  four 
months  before  the  treaty  of  Ghent  was  signed.  Yet  Co 
lonel  Nicholl  not  only  affected  to  consider  it  as  applying 
to  the  Seminoles  of  Florida,  and  the  outlawed  Red  Sticks, 
whom  he  had  induced  to  join  him  there,  but  actually  per 
suaded  them  that  they  were  entitled,  by  virtue  of  the  treaty 
of  Ghent,  to  all  the  lands  which  had  belonged  to  the 
18 


206  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

Creek  nation,  within  the  United  States,  in  the  year  1811, 
and  that  the  government  of  Great  Britain  would  support 
them  in  that  pretension.  He  asserted  also  this  doctrine 
in  a  correspondence  with  Colonel  Hawkins,  then  the 
agent  of  the  United  States  with  the  Creeks,  and  gave  him 
notice  in  their  name,  with  a  mockery  of  solemnity,  that 
they  had  concluded  a  treaty  of  alliance,  offensive  and  de 
fensive,  and  a  treaty  of  navigation  and  commerce,  with 
Great  Britain,  of  which  more  was  to  be  heard  after  it 
should  be  ratified  in  England.  Colonel  Nicholl  then 
evacuated  his  fort,  and  took  with  him  the  white  portion 
of  his  force,  and  embarked  for  England  with  several  of 
the  wretched  savages,  whom  he  was  thus  deluding  to 
their  fate,  among  whom  was  the  prophet  Francis  or  Hil- 
lis  Hadjo,  and  left  the  fort,  amply  supplied  with  military 
stores  and  ammunition,  to  the  negro  department  of  his 
allies.  It  afterwards  was  known  by  the  name  of  the  Ne 
gro  Fort. 

Colonel  Hawkins  immediately  communicated  to  our 
government  the  correspondence  between  him  and  Nicholl, 
upon  which,  Mr.  Monroe,  then  secretary  of  state,  address 
ed  a  letter  to  Mr.  Baker,  the  British  charge  d'affaires  at 
Washington,  complaining  of  Nicholl's  conduct,  and 
showing  that  his  pretence,  that  the  ninth  article  of  the 
treaty  of  Ghent  could  have  any  application  to  his  Indians, 
was  utterly  destitute  of  foundation.  Copies  of  the  same 
correspondence  were  transmitted  to  the  minister  of  the 
United  States,  then  in  England,  with  instructions  to  re 
monstrate  with  the  British  government  against  these  pro 
ceedings  of  Nicholl,  and  to  show  how  incompatible  they 
were  with  the  peace  which  had  been  concluded  between 
the  two  nations.  These  remonstrances  were  accordingly 
made,  first  in  personal  interview  with  Earl  Bathurst  and 
Lord  Castlereagh,  and  afterwards  in  written  notes  ad 
dressed  successively  to  them,  together  with  extracts  from 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  207 

the  dispatches  of  the  American  ministers  to  the  secretary 
of  state,  reporting  what  passed  at  those  interviews. 
Lord  Bathurst,  in  the  most  unequivocal  manner,  confirm 
ed  the  facts,  and  disavowed  the  misconduct  of  Nicholl ; 
declared  his  disapprobation  of  the  pretended  treaty  of  alli 
ance,  offensive  and  defensive,  which  he  had  made,  assured 
the  American  minister  that  the  British  government  had 
refused  to  ratify  that  treaty,  and  would  send  back  the  In 
dians,  whom  Nicholl  had  brought  with  him,  with  advice 
to  make  their  peace  on  such  terms  as  they  could  obtain. 
Lord  Castlereagh  confirmed  the  assurance  that  the  treaty 
would  not  be  ratified ;  and  if  at  the  same  time  that  these 
assurances  were  given,  certain  distinctions  of  public  no 
toriety  were  shown  to  the  prophet  Hillis  Hadjo,  and  he 
was  actually  honored  with  a  commission  as  a  British  of 
ficer,  it  is  to  be  presumed  that  these  favors  were  granted 
him  as  rewards  of  past  services,  and  not  as  encourage 
ment  to  expect  any  support  from  Great  Britain,  in  a  con 
tinuance  of  savage  hostilities  against  the  United  States ; 
all  intention  of  giving  any  such  support  having  been  re 
peatedly  and  earnestly  disavowed. 

The  negro  fort,  however,  abandoned  by  Colonel  Ni- 
ehoil,  remained  on  the  Spanish  territory,  occupied  by  the 
banditti  to  whom  he  had  left  it,  and  held  by  them  as  a 
post  from  whence  to  commit  depredations,  outrages,  and 
murders,  and  as  a  receptacle  for  fugitive  slaves  and  male 
factors,  to  the  great  annoyance  both  of  the  United  States 
and  of  Spanish  Florida. 

In  the  year  1817,  Alexander  Arbuthnot,  of  the  Island 
of  New  Providence,  a  British  subject,  first  appeared  as 
an  English  trader  in  Spanish  Florida,  and  as  the  succes 
sor  of  Colonel  Nicholl  in  the  employment  of  instigating 
the  Seminole  and  outlawed  Red  Stick  Indians  to  hostili 
ties  against  the  United  States,  by  reviving  the  pretence 
that  they  were  entitled  to  all  the  lands  which  had  been 


208  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

ceded  by  the  Creek  nation  to  the  United  States,  in  Au 
gust,  1814.  As  a  mere  Indian  trader,  the  intrusion  of 
this  man  into  a  Spanish  province  was  contrary  to  the  po 
licy  observed  by  all  the  European  powers  in  this  hemi 
sphere,  and  by  none  more  rigorously  than  by  Spain,  of 
excluding  all  foreigners  from  intercourse  with  the  Indians 
within  their  territories.  It  must  be  known  to  the  Spanish 
government  whether  Arbuthnot  had  a  Spanish  license  for 
trading  with  the  Indians  in  Spanish  Florida,  or  not ;  but 
they  also  know  that  Spain  was  bound  by  treaty  to  re 
strain  by  force  all  hostilities  on  the  part  of  those  Indians, 
against  the  citizens  of  the  United  States ;  and  it  is  for 
them  to  explain,  how,  consistently  with  those  engage 
ments,  Spain  could,  contrary  to  all  the  maxims  of  her  or 
dinary  policy,  grant  such  a  license  to  a  foreign  incendiary, 
whose  principal  if  not  his  only  object,  appears  to  have 
been,  to  stimulate  those  hostilities  which  Spain  had  ex 
pressly  stipulated  by  force  to  restrain.  In  his  infernal 
instigations  he  was  but  too  successful.  No  sooner  did  he 
make  his  appearance  among  the  Indians,  accompanied  by 
the  prophet  Hillis  Hadjo,  returned  from  his  expedition  to 
England,  than  the  peaceful  inhabitants  on  the  borders  of 
the  United  States  were  visited  with  all  the  horrors  of 
savage  war  ;  the  robbery  of  their  property,  and  the  bar 
barous  and  indiscriminate  murder  of  woman,  infancy,  and 
age. 

After  the  repeated  expostulations,  warnings,  and  offers 
of  peace,  through  the  summer  and  autumn  of  1817,  on 
the  part  of  the  United  States,  had  been  answered  only  by 
renewed  outrages,  and  after  a  detachment  of  40  men, 
under  Lieutenant  Scott,  accompanied  by  seven  women, 
had  been  waylaid  and  murdered  by  the  Indians,  orders 
\vp-re  given  to  General  Jackson,  and  an  adequate  force 
was  placed  at  his  disposal,  to  terminate  the  war.  It  was 
ascertained,  that  the  Spanish  force  in  Florida  was  inade* 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  209 

quate  for  the  protection  even  of  the  Spanish  territory  it 
self,  against  this  mingled  horde  of  lawless  Indians  and 
negroes  ;  and  although  their  devastations  were  committed 
within  the  limits  of  the  United  States,  they  immediately 
sought  refuge  within  the  Florida  line,  and  there  only 
were  to  be  overtaken.  The  necessity  of  crossing  the  line 
was  indispensable ;  for  it  was  from  beyond  the  line  that 
the  Indians  made  their  murderous  incursions  within  that 
of  the  United  States.  It  was  there  that  they  had  their 
abode  ;  and  the  territory  belonged  in  fact  to  them,  al 
though  within  the  borders  of  the  Spanish  jurisdiction. 

Of  all  the  sins  that  have  been  laid  to  General  Jackson's 
charge,  none  have  been  branched  out  into  the  crimina 
ting  counts  of  an  indictment,  and  reiterated  with  more 
spiteful  tautology,  than  those  relative  to  his  conduct  of  the 
Seminole  war.  It  has  been  said,  in  relation  to  it,  that 
"  he  invaded  a  neutral  country  in  defiance  of  orders,  and 
in  violation  of  that  provision  of  the  constitution,  which 
intrusts  the  power  of  peace  and  war  to  the  president  of 
the  United  States." 

How  far  the  invasion  of  Florida  was  in  defiance  of 
orders,  may  be  determined  by  reference  to  the  following 
documentary  abstract.  On  the  9th  of  December,  1817, 
the  secretary  of  war  ordered  General  Gaines,  '*  should 
the  Indians  assemble  in  force  on  the  Spanish  side  of  the 
line,  and  persevere  in  committing  hostilities,  within  the  li 
mits  of  the  United  States,  in  that  event,  to  exercise  a 
sound  discretion,  as  to  the  propriety  of  crossing  the.  line 
for  the  purpose  of  attacking  them,  and  breaking  up  their 
towns"  On  the  16th  December,  he  writes  to  the  same  : 
"  Should  the  Seminole  Indians  still  refuse  to  make  repa 
ration  for  their  outrages  and  depredations  on  the  citizens 
of  the  United  States,  it  is  the  wish  of  the  president,  that 
you  consider  yourself  at  liberty  to  march  across  the  Flo 
rida  line,  and  attack  them  within  its  limits."  Soon  after 
18* 


210  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

this  last  order,  the  president  received  intelligence  of  the 
massacre  of  Mrs.  Garrett  and  her  family,  and  the  shock 
ing1  butchery  of  Lieutenant  Scott  and  his  detachment  of 
forty  men.  Under  the  melancholy  impression  of  these 
events,  he  had  recourse  to  the  well  known  energy  and 
talent  of  General  Jackson,  and  called  upon  him  to  repair 
to  the  scene  of  danger,  and  "  terminate  the  conflict." 

The  first  order  he  received,  dated  the  26th  December, 
1817,  recited  "  the  increasing  display  of  hostile  inten 
tions  by  the  Seminole  Indians,"  and  authorized  him  to 
call  on  the  executives  of  the  adjoining  states,  for  a  mili 
tary  force  sufficient  "  to  beat  the  enemy."  It  also  in 
formed  him,  that  General  Gaines,  his  second  in  com 
mand,  had  been  directed  "  to  penetrate  from  Amelia 
Island  through  Florida  to  the  Seminole  towns.  With 
this  view  you  may  be  prepared  to  concentrate  your  force, 
and  to  adopt  the  necessary  measures,  to  terminate  the 
conflict."  It  cannot  be  disputed  that  these  orders,  not 
only  authorized  General  Jackson,  but  actually  command 
ed  him,  to  invade  Florida. 

He  is  informed  that  since  the  orders  authorizing  Ge 
neral  Gaines  to  "  march  across  the  Florida  lines,  and  at- 
tack  the  Indians  within  its  limits,"  were  issued,  the  go 
vernment  had  learnt  "  their  increasing  display  of  hostile 
intentions,"  in  the  murder  of  Mrs.  Garrett  and  family, 
and  Lieutenant  Scott  and  his  men,  and  therefore  General 
Gaines  had  been  "directed  to  penetrate  from  Amelia 
Island,  through  Florida,  and  co-operate  in  an  attack  on 
the  Seminole  towns,  if  his  force  were  sufficient  for  that 
offensive  operation ;  and  that  with  this  view"  he  himself 
was  expected  "  to  concentrate  his  force  and  adopt  the  ne 
cessary  measures  to  terminate  the  conflict."  With  what 
view  then,  would  we  ask,  was  General  Jackson  "  to  con 
centrate  his  force  and  adopt  his  measures  ?"  The  only 
answer  that  can  be  made  is,  with  the  view  of  "  penetrating 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  211 

into  Florida,"  and  carrying  on  within  its  limits  such  mili 
tary  operations  as  would  be  "  necessary  to  terminate  the 
conflict."  What  justification,  rather  what  apology,  can 
be  offered  by  General  Jackson's  accusers,  against  the  in 
dignation  of  the  American  people,  and  the  reproaches  of 
truth,  for  declaring  that  this  act  of  his  was  in  "  defiance 
of  orders  ?"  The  orders  themselves  correspond  with  the 
act,  and  the  act  conforms  to  the  interpretation  given  to 
the  orders  by  the  government  that  issued  them.  On  the 
25th  of  March,  1818,  the  president,  in  a  message  to  con 
gress,  adverting  to  the  course  and  spirit  of  the  Indian  hos 
tilities,  says,  "  General  Jackson  was  ordered  to  the  theatre 
of  action,  charged  with  the  management  of  the  war,  and 
vested  with  the  powers  necessary  to  give  it  effect."  And 
on  the  13th  May  folloAving,  the  secretary  of  war  writes 
to  Governor  Bibb,  "  General  Jackson  is  vested  with  full 
powers  to  conduct  the  war  in  the  manner  Le  may  judge 
best."  Now  how  could  General  Jackson's  discretion, 
which  was  intrusted  with  these  full  powers,  fail  to  deter 
mine  on  crossing  the  Florida  line,  in  order  to  comply 
with  his  instructions,  to  "beat  the  enemy,"  and  to  "ter 
minate  the  conflict,"  when  that  enemy  was  situated  within 
the  limits  of  Florida  ?  It  was  totally  impossible. 

As  this  act  of  General  Jackson  was  authorized  and 
commanded  by  the  president  of  the  United  States,  whom, 
as  a  major  general  in  the  service,  he  was  bound  to  obey, 
it  is  no  part  of  his  defence  to  disprove  the  allegation  of  its 
being  a  violation  of  a  provision  of  the  constitution.  This 
charge,  were  it  sustainable,  would  evidently  miss  Gene 
ral  Jackson  and  hit  Mr.  Monroe.  But  it  was  debated  in 
the  house  of  representatives  with  intense  eagerness  for 
about  three  weeks  ;  was  discussed  by  thirty-two  members, 
and  enforced  by  all  the  boasted  management  and  eloquence 
of  Mr.  Clay,  and  yet  was  decided  in  the  negative  by  a 
vote  of  one  hundred  to  seventy.  We  have  only  to  remark, 


212  BIOGRAPHY    Or 

that  the  entrance  of  the  American  army  into  Florida,  and 
their  provisional  assertion  of  our  belligerent  rights,  in 
the  place  of  the  abused  or  the  derelict  authority  of  Spain, 
was  no  violation  of  neutrality,  much  less  an  act  of  war, 
but  strictly  defensive ;  authorized  by  the  principle  of  self- 
preservation,  which  is  derived  from  the  law  of  nature  it 
self;  is  recognized  by  the  law  of  nations,  and  conduces  to 
their  mutual  safety ;  and  under  the  obligations  of  which, 
the  president,  to  whom  the  constitution  commits  the  de 
fence  of  the  nation,  and  the  assertion  of  its  rights,  was 
bound  to  prosecute  the  war  with  the  Seminole  Indians  to 
a  speedy  and  successful  issue. 

The  right  of  self-defence,  belonging  to  the  nation,  and 
committed  to  the  president,  carried  with  it  a  right  to  the 
means  of  its  exercise.  The  inability  of  the  Spanish 
authorities,  or  their  unwillingness  to  preserve  towards  us 
the  general  obligations  of  neutrality,  or  to  comply  with 
the  positive  obligations  of  a  treaty,  binding  them  to  restrain 
the  Indians  within  their  limits  from  hostilities  against  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  brought  General  Jackson's 
military  operations  in  Florida  strictly  within  the  number 
of  these  means.  But  whether  regarded  as  they  relate  to  the 
constitution  of  this  country,  or  as  they  affected  the  rights  of 
Spain,  they  are  equally  insufficient  to  inculpate  General 
Jackson.  He  acted,  like  other  commanders,  under  the 
orders  of  his  government,  and  these  order?  he  executed 
with  his  usual  energy  and  address.  He  was  not  respon 
sible  for  their  nature,  or  for  the  extent  of  operations  which 
they  commanded,  and  therefore  needed  no  defence. 

Presuming  that  our  readers  are  convinced  that  the 
invasion  of  Florida  by  General  Jackson  was  not  in 
"  defiance  of  orders,"  or  a  violation  of  any  provision  of 
the  constitution,  we  will  proceed  in  the  detail  of  the  subse 
quent  events  of  this  memorable  campaign.  Soon  after 
the  arrival  of  General  Jackson  in  Georgia,  preparatory  to 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  213 

his  expedition  into  Florida,  a  highly  impolitic  measure 
adopted  by  the  governor  of  that  state  elicited  censure 
from  General  Jackson.  His  accusers  assert,  that  a  "  spi 
rit  of  domination,  fiery  misrule,  and  impetuosity  of  tem 
per,"  is  displayed,  in  his  celebrated  letter  to  Governor  Ra- 
bun,  where  he  is  made  to  say,  "  When  I  am  in  the  field,  you 
have  no  authority  to  issue  a  military  order."  The  un 
fairness  of  the  extract,  and  the  circumstances  which  eli 
cited  the  expression  from  General  Jackson,  will  appear  in 
the  following  detail  of  events  : 

"  When  General  Jackson  assumed  the  direction  of  the 
Seminole  war,  he  found  General  Gaines  near  Hartford, 
in  Georgia,  at  the  head  of  the  contingent  force  of  that 
state,  which  he  speedily  put  into  motion.  Advancing 
with  his  raw  force  of  one  thousand  mefi,  in  the  direction 
of  Fort  Scott,  he  passed  on  rude  rafts  and  scarcely  practi 
cable  routes,  the  fenny  swamps,  and  flooded  rivers  of  that 
region,  impelled  by  the  energy  of  his  character,  and  the 
hope  of  finding  the  supplies  which  had  been  ordered  there, 
at  Fort  Early.  But  when  he  reached  that  place,  the  dan 
ger  of  famine  was  not  abated,  there  being  only  a  barrel 
arid  a  half  of  flour,  and  a  few  bushels  of  corn,  in  the  fort, 
In  the  neighborhood  lived  a  small  tribe  of  Indians,  the 
Chehaws,  whose  friendship,  though  doubted,  now  proved 
sincere.  To  these  sons  of  the  forest,  in  his  extremity,  he 
applied,  desiring  them  to  bring  in  such  supplies  of  corn, 
peas,  and  potatoes,  as  they  could  spare,  and  promising 
liberal  pay  for  them.  They  immediately  brought  a  small 
supply,  and  on  the  general's  encamping  near  their  vil 
lage,  which  lay  directly  in  his  route  to  Fort  Scott,  their 
aged  chief,  Howard,  the  survivor  of  many  wars  with  the 
kings  of  the  forest  and  the  foes  of  his  tribe,  received  him 
as  a  brother,  and  the  simple-hearted  community  emptied, 
almost  to  exhaustion,  to  relieve  the  wants  of  their  guests, 
the  small  stock  of  food  which  had  been  collected  for  their 


214  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

subsistence  through  the  winter.  Enthusiasm  succeeding 
their  kindness — the  few  warriors  of  the  village  joined  the 
American  standard,  and  it  was  only  in  compliance  with 
Jackson's  request,  that  the  grandson  of  Howard,  a  youth 
of  eighteen,  was  left  to  assist  that  patriarch  of  the  woods, 
in  attending  to  the  old  men,  women,  and  children.  Thus, 
confiding  in  the  honor  of  General  Jackson,  and  in  the  faith 
of  the  United  States,  the  Chehaw  villagers  were  left  in 
complete  exposure.  But  what  had  they  to  apprehend,  or 
what  had  General  Jackson  to  apprehend  for  them  ?  To 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  small  garrison  left  at  Fort 
Early,  he  had  given  instruction  to  consider  the  Chehaws 
as  friends,  and  there  was  no  power  behind  him  that  could 
be  dangerous  to  the  allies  of  the  United  States.  Having 
clasped  the  right  hand  of  Howard  in  friendship,  marshalled 
the  warriors  of  the  tribe,  and  assured  the  women  of  peace 
and  protection,  who,  with  their  "  young  barbarians,"  wit 
nessed  his  departure,  he  hastened  onward  to  the  theatre 
of  war. 

Where  the  lion  walks  harmless,  the  wolf  pro\vls  most 
ferociously.  A  Captain  Wright,  of  the  Georgia  militia, 
upon  some  false  information,  conceived  and  communicated 
to  the  governor  the  impression,  that  after  the  march  of 
General  Jackson  from  the  vicinity  of  Hartford,  hostilities 
had  been  committed  on  that  section  of  the  frontier  by  the 
Phillimees  and  Oponees — subordinate  or  rather  incorpo 
rated  septs  of  the  Chehaw  tribe.  The  governor,  on  this 
erroneous  representation,  issued  a  very  inconsiderate  or 
der,  empowering  the  Captain  to  march  at  the  head  of  two 
companies  of  cavalry,  and  such  infantry  as  could  be  drawn 
from  the  garrison  of  Fort  Early,  against  the  supposed  ag 
gressors.  It  was  in  vain  that  the  commanding  officer  there 
assured  Captain  Wright  of  the  friendship  and  innocence 
of  the  Chehaws,  and  informed  him  of  their  recent  aid  and 
hospitality  to  General  Jackson.  But  why  prolong  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  215 

dreadful  recital  ?  The  governor's  party  had  the  power 
and  the  will  to  destroy.  They  burst  like  a  tempest  on  the 
devoted  village.  Helpless  age  and  unresisting  infancy 
they  confounded  in  one  torrent  of  destruction.  The  bay 
onet,  red  with  the  blood  of  the  infant,  was  plunged  into 
the  breast  of  the  mother.  The  aged  Howard,  supported 
by  his  grandson,  advanced  with  a  white  flag,  and  was 
shot  with  that  emblem  of  faith  and  peace  in  his  feeble 
hand.  The  same  cruel  volley  dispatched  his  grandson — 
the  village  was  given  to  the  flames — the  women  and  chil 
dren  to  the  edge  of  the  sword,  or  they  fled  from  instant 
slaughter,  in  terror  and  exile,  to  famine.  Wider  scenes 
of  desolation  have  indeed  been  spread  on  the  face  of  the 
globe,  when  Hyder  descended  like  a  thunder-cloud  from 
the  mountains  of  Mysore,  upon  the  plains  of  the  Carnatic 
— or  when  Turreau  left  La  Vendee  shrouded  in  soli 
tude  and  ashes.  But  a  deeper  stain  of  dishonor,  or  a 
more  intense  visitation  of  wo,  was  never  seen  or  inflicted, 
than  at  the  secluded  village  of  the  Chehaws.  The  mas 
sacre  of  'Wyoming  was  mercy  to  it,  and  the  revenge  of 
Brandt  far  less  cruel  than  this  amity  of  the  United  States. 
It  violated,  at  one  blow,  humanity,  friendship,  and  the  faith 
of  treaties — the  obligations  of  justice,  gratitude,  and  honor 
— and  involved  in  its  consequences  the  disgrace  of  the  na 
tion,  the  murder  of  our  citizens,  and  the  probable  renewal 
of  the  war,  which  was  then  almost  concluded.  Against 
this  shameful  outrage,  the  heart  of  Jackson  arose,  and  he 
resented  it  with  indignation,  but  not  without  dignity  ; 
complaining  to  the  executive  of  the  United  States,  and  re 
monstrating  with  that  of  Georgia.  To  the  former  he  says, 
(7th  May,  1818,)  "  The  outrage  which  has  been  commit 
ted  on  the  superannuated  warriors,  women,  and  children  of 
the  Chehaws,  whose  sons  were  then  in  the  field,  in  the 
service  of  the  United  States,  merits  the  severest  chastise 
ment.  The  interference,  too,  of  the  governor  of  Georgia, 


216  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

with  the  duties  imposed  on  me,  claims  the  early  attention 
of  the  president.  All  the  effects  of  my  campaign  may  by 
this  one  act  be  destroyed,  and  the  same  scenes  of  massacre 
and  murder  with  which  our  frontier  settlements  have  been 
visited,  again  repeated."  To  the  latter,  (7th  May,)  after 
referring  to  the  massacre  as  "base  and  cowardly,"  and 
to  an  inclosed  copy  of  General  Glascock's  letter  detailing 
it,  he  observes,  "  That  a  governor  of  a  state  should  make 
war  against  an  Indian  tribe  at  perfect  peace  with  and  un 
der  the  protection  of  the  United  States,  is  assuming  a  re 
sponsibility  that  I  trust  you  will  be  able  to  excuse  to  the 
United  States,  to  which  you  will  have  to  answer  ;"  and  he 
adds,  "  you,  as  governor  of  a  state  within  my  military  divi 
sion,  have  no  right  to  give  a  military  order  when  I  am  in 
the  field."  This  last  is  the  phrase  which  General  Jack 
son's  accusers  have  **  torn  from  its  context,"  and  repeated 
with  an  aggravating  abbreviation,  and  in  alarming  italics. 
**  When  I  am  in  the  field  you  have  no  right  to  issue  a 
military  order."  Now,  although  the  negation  may  at 
first  appear  too  general,  yet  the  context  plainly  limits  it 
to  the  field  of  command  on  which  Jackson  was  then  em 
ployed.  It  obviously  was  not  his  intention  to  say  that  the 
governor  had  no  right  to  regulate  the  militia  concerns  of 
his  state,  or  to  order  out  quotas  in  the  service  of  the  Uni 
ted  States  ;  but  that  he  had  no  right,  as  governor  of  Geor 
gia,  to  interfere  with  his  duties,  by  operations  extraneous 
to  the  sovereignty  of  the  state,  and  hostile  to  the  Indians 
at  peace  with  and  under  the  protection  of  the  United  States. 
In  this  he  was  perfectly  right,  and  evinced  a  disposition 
to  preserve  rather  than  to  disturb  the  harmony  so  desirable 
between  the  states  and  the  general  government.  The 
power  of  making  war  is  vested  exclusively  by  the  consti 
tution  in  the  federal  government,  and  the  equivalent  duty 
imposed  on  it  of  guarantying  the  integrity  and  indepen 
dence  of  the  several  states,  This  duty,  the  federal  go- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  217 

vernment  was  then  in  the  act  of  discharging  in  favor  of 
the  state  of  Georgia;  and  yet,  acccording  to  General 
Jackson's  accusers,  the  governor  of  Geogria  was  to  in 
terrupt  its  military  operations,  and  to  murder  its  friends 
and  allies,  without  the  voice  of  remonstrance  or  admo 
nition.  Let  us  suppose,  for  a  moment,  that  after  Ge 
neral  Brown  had  concluded  a  friendly  agreement  with 
the  Buffalo  Indians,  and  with  their  supplies  of  provisions 
and  men,  had  invaded  Canada,  Governor  Tompkins  had 
come  on  his  track,  burnt  the  friendly  village,  and  destroyed 
or  dispersed  its  inhabitants.  Would  it  have  been  an  un 
pardonable  offence  in  General  Brown  to  remonstrate 
against  that  outrage,  and  to  inform  Governor  Tompkins 
that  he  had  transcended  his  authority  ?  Would  it  have 
displayed  a  "  dangerous  spirit  of  domination,"  or  an  ho 
norable  feeling  of  justice  and  humanity  ?  And  would  it 
have  exposed  General  Brown  to  the  suspicion  and  exe 
cration  of  his  fellow  citizens,  or  entitled  him  to  their  ap 
probation  and  support  ?  The  acquaintance  of  those  with 
history  who  accuse  General  Jackson  should  remind  them 
that  the  taking  of  Saguntum,  while  in  alliance  with  the 
Romans,  was  the  immediate  cause  of  the  second  Punic 
war,  and  that  the  destruction  of  that  city  excited  a  digni 
fied  resentment  in  the  Roman  people,  which  defeat  after 
defeat,  and  slaughter  after  slaughter,  could  not  subdue, 
and  gave  a  moral  interest  as  well  as  a  political  force 
to  the  vengeful  expression  of  the  elder  Cato,  "  delenda  est 
Carthago."  Not  to  mention  other  examples  of  feeling 
repugnant  to  the  sentiments  with  which  they  contemplate 
the  sensibility  of  General  Jackson  for  the  fate  of  the  Che- 
haws,  the  pride  which  on  a  late  occasion  England  took  in 
stretching  forth  her  power  as  an  aegis  over  her  "  ancient 
ally,"  may  be  cited — when  Mr.  Canning,  as  the  organ  of 
his  country,  declared  to  the  nations  in  a  tone  of  generous 
defiance,  that  when  the  march  of  foreign  conquest  touched 
19 


218  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

the  frontiers  of  Portugal,  it  must  stay  its  haughty  step. 
Yet  while  we  admire  the  spirit  of  the  Roman  people  and 
of.  the  English  statesman,  we  are  persuaded  to  believe 
that  when  our  own  patriot  protested  against  an  outrage  on 
humanity,  a  violation  of  faith,  and  a  usurpation  of  autho 
rity,  acquiescence  in  which  would  have  stained  with  dis 
grace  our  common  sense,  our  common  nature,  and  our 
common  country,  he  displayed  a  "  fiery  misrule  of  tem 
per,"  and  "a  dangerous  spirit  of  domination." 

It  may,  perhaps,  be  within  the  extensive  circle  of 
their  sophistry  to  contend  that  the  governor  of  Georgia, 
as  the  head  of  a  sovereign  state,  had  a  right  to  make  war 
on  the  Indians,  the  right  of  war  being  an  incident  inse 
parable  from  sovereignty.  Waiving  the  constitutional 
pact  between  the  states  and  the  federal  government,  and 
the  laws  of  congress  placing  the  Indian  tribes  under  the 
control  and  keeping  of  the  United  States,  which  would  at 
once  defeat  this  course  of  argument,  it  will  be  enough  to 
observe,  that  even  if  the  governor  had  the  right  of  waging 
this  war,  he  was  bound  to  prosecute  it  according  to  the 
law  of  nations  and  the  usages  of  war.  These  would 
have  rendered  it  his  duty  to  ascertain  first,  whether  the 
injury  he  complained  of  was  really  committed  by  the 
Chehaws — and  if  it  were,  secondly,  whether  the  authori 
ties  of  that  tribe  would  make,  or  refuse  proper  repara 
tion.  This  is  the  practice  of  all  civilized  states — is  that 
of  the  United  States — and  was  exemplified  in  the  late  dis 
turbance  with  the  Winnebagoes.  So  that,  conceding  the 
right  of  war  to  the  governor,  his  violation  of  the  laws 
and  usages  of  war  to  the  injury  of  the  Chehaws,  justly 
exposed  him  to  the  remonstrances  of  General  Jackson, 
who,  as  an  officer  of  the  United  States,  the  guest  of  the 
venerable  Howard,  and  the  commander  of  the  Chehaw 
warriors,  was  in  strict  alliance  with  that  tribe,  and  bound 
to  protect  it.  The  fact  is,  that  the  governor  of  Georgia 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  219 

was,  for  a  time,  so  infatuated,  as  to  consider  his  official 
dignity  invaded,  and  his  power  encroached  upon  by  this 
remonstrance  of  the  general,  and  under  that  impression 
wrote  a  letter  to  him,  reminding  him  of  Georgia's  "bleed 
ing  frontier,"  and  taunting  him  with  affecting  "  a  military 
despotism."  The  fact  is,  too,  that  this,  his  letter,  made  its 
gasconading  appearance  in  a  Georgia  journal,  before  it 
was  received  by  the  general,  and  fell  into  disreputable 
oblivion  soon  after.  And  the  probability  is,  that  the  ge 
neral's  accusers,  who,  though  prodigal  in  charges,  are 
penurious  in  proofs,  have  been  guided  to  this  buried  slan 
der  by  a  sense  for  defamation  as  keen  and  creditable  as 
that  which  leads  certain  winged  gnostics  to  the  carcasses 
of  the  dead.  But  it  has  as  little  truth  as  fragrance.  For 
from  the  time  the  Georgia  brigade  encamped  on  the  Oak- 
mulgee,  and  under  the  conduct  of  General  Jackson,  march 
ed  by  the  way  of  Fort  Early  to  Fort  Scott,  up  to  the  close 
of  the  war,  the  southern  frontier  of  that  state  could  neither 
have  bled  nor  been  exposed. — A  thousand  men,  either  sta 
tioned  on  that  frontier,  or  penetrating  from  it  into  the  In 
dian  country,  naturally  bore  off  any  thing  like  hostility ; 
and  accordingly  General  Jackson  met  with  no  opposition 
until  he  reached  the  Mickasuky  towns,  at  least  150  miles 
south  of  Hartford.  Besides,  the  Tennessee  contingent, 
consisting  also  of  1000  men,  had  marched  on  14th  of  Feb. 
from  Fayetteville,  in  Tennessee,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Hayne,  of  the  United  States  army,  and  after 
reaching  Fort  Mitchell,  on  their  way  to  join  General  Jack 
son  at  Fort  Scott,  had  information  that  their  rations,  which 
had  given  out,  could  not  be  replenished  in  the  direction  of 
Fort  Scott,  filed  off  to  the  left,  and  by  a  route  nearly  pa 
rallel  to  the  advance  of  Jackson,  had  passed  into  Georgia, 
at  Hartford;  where  Colonel  Hayne  with  400  men  re 
mained  for  the  protection  of  that  frontier,  until  after  the 
period  at  which  Governor  Rabun  represented  it  to  be 


220  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

"bleeding."  There  could  therefore  have  been  no  real 
cause,  as  there  was  no  possible  justification,  for  the  attack 
on  the  Chehaws ;  and  of  this  the  governor  himself  was 
soon  sensible,  for  in  a  letter  of  the  llth  May,  from  Mill- 
edgeville,  General  Glascock  says  to  General  Jackson, 
"  I  had  an  interview  with  the  agent  and  the  governor, 
and  they  have  concluded  that  a  talk  will  immediately  be 
held  with  the  chiefs  of  that  place — ascertain  the  amount 
of  property  destroyed,  and  make  ample  reparation  for  the 
same.  This  is  at  once  acknowledging  the  impropriety  of 
the  attack,  and  not  in  the  least  degree  throwing  oft"  the 
stigma  that  will  be  attached  to  the  state." 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  221 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

General  Jackson  arrives  at  Fort  St.  Marks — Captures  it 
— Censures  of  him  for  his  operations  in  Florida — Cir 
cumstances  justifying-  his  acts — Arbuthnot  and  Ambris- 
ter — Their  agency  in  producing  the  Seminole  war — 
Justification  of  their  punishment — Detail  of  the  particu 
lars  of  the  Seminole  war  as  given  by  General  Jackson. 

WHILE  the  unfortunate  affair  of  the  Chehaws  was 
transpiring,  General  Jackson  was  proceeding  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Fort  St.  Marks.  Its  situation  was  in  the  interior  of 
Florida,  on  a  river  of  the  same  name  ;  and  had  long  been 
the  scene  of  the  most  nefarious  designs,  and  the  starting 
point  from  which  marauders,  depredators,  and  murderers, 
had  taken  their  departure.  This  place  he  captured,  and 
from  it  he  directed  his  operations  against  the  Seminoles 
yet  unsubdued.  As  every  act  of  C4eneral  Jackson  during 
this  campaign  has  been  made  the  subject  of  the  severest 
animadversion,  we  have  been  necessitated  to  incorporate 
the  detail  of  it  writh  a  defence  of  his  measures,  and  to 
render  that  defence  acceptable  to  our  readers,  we  have 
availed  ourselves  of  the  masterly  productions  of  the  wri 
ter  alluded  to  in  our  preface,  whose  admirable  defences 
of  General  Jackson's  public  acts  on  various  occasions,  we 
have  often  made  our  readers  familiar  with  in  the  course  of 
this  volume.  General  Jackson  is  charged  with  having 
"  decoyed  and  slaughtered  the  Indians  while  at  St. 
Marks."  ^-> 

The  subject  of  this  charge  is  indissolubly  connected 
19* 


BIOGRAPHY    OF 

with  the  crimes  and  fate  of  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister, 
and  blends  itself  intimately  with  General  Jackson's  ope 
rations  in  Florida.  But  the  scene  of  these  transactions 
is  so  remote  and  obscure — covered  by  untravelled  wilder 
nesses,  unmeasured  swamps,  and  undefined  jurisdictions — 
the  characters  upon  which  they  operate  so  notorious  and 
yet  so  unknown,  their  allegiance  so  diversified,  and  their 
motives  so  various,  that  the  attention  of  ever  a  fair  in 
quirer  is  often  bedimmed  and  confounded  in  their  study, 
as  the  strongest  eye  is  mocked  in  pursuing  the  even  chang 
ing  reflection  from  agitated  water.  In  their  present  state 
of  indigestion,  they  form  a  mass  of  rubbish,  behind  which 
every  scribbler  who  chooses  to  revile  General  Jackson, 
and  hopes  to  delude  the  public,  entrenches  himself. 

The  dramatis  personce  engaged  in  the  catastrophe 
which  Jackson  is  accused  of  producing,  were — Lieut. 
Col.  Nicholl,  of  the  British  artillery — Woodbine,  an  Eng 
lish  adventurer  of  fine  address  and  desperate  morals, 
trainer  of  hostile  Indians,  with  the  title  if  not  the  rank 
of  captain,  and  in  that  respect,  adjunct  and  successor  of 
Nicholl — Arbuthnot,  a  Scotchman,  who  had  left  his  wife 
in  Europe,  married  a  colored  one  in  the  West  Indies, 
and  with  a  son  by  the  former  taken  a  trading  position  in 
Florida,  got  himself  elected  chief  of  the  Indians  at  war 
with  the  United  States,  and  as  such  had  sanctioned  the 
butchery  of  Lieutenant  Scott  and  his  party — Ambrister, 
a  half  officer  and  half  buccanier,  who,  with  the  commis 
sion  of  "  auxiliary  lieutenant  of  colonial  marines,"  given 
by  Admiral  Cochrane  during  the  war  with  this  country. 
was  taken  three  years  after  the  peace,  leading  the  Indians 
and  fugitive  negroes  in  the  battle  against  the  troops  of  the 
United  States.  Hambly  and  Doyle,  subjects  of  Spain, 
agents  of  a  commercial  firm  in  Pensacola,  driving  the 
Indian  trade  in  an  establishment  on  the  Apalachicola,  and 
favorers  of  peace — Cook,  clerk  to  Arbuthnot,  also  in  fa- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  £23 

vor  of  peace — Francis  or  Hillis  Hadjo,  chief  of  the  pro 
phets  of  the  Creek  Nation,  appointed  by  Tecnmseh  in  his 
insurrectional  visit  to  the  southern  tribes  in  the  fall  of 
1812,  an  inveterate  enemy  of  the  United  States,  had  re 
fused  to  unite  with  his  countrymen  in  the  capitulation  of 
Fort  Jackson,  abandoned  his  country,  and  at  the  head  of 
the  outlawed  Red  Sticks,  had  taken  refuge  and  protection 
with  the  Seminoles  in  Florida,  instigated  them  to  rapine 
and  murder,  and  had  witnessed  and  encouraged  the  mas 
sacre  of  Lieutenant  Scott  and  his  party — Hemithlimaco, 
a  Red  Stick  chief,  the  principal  warrior  of  the  prophet, 
and  principal  perpetrator  of  that  massacre. 

The  motives  and  liabilities  of  these  men  were  as  va 
rious  as  their  names  and  nations.  The  motive  of  Nicholl 
was  success  in  his  profession  and  service  to  his  country, 
stained  with  the  design  of  debasing  the  chivalry  of  war, 
by  the  employment  of  savage  associates.  To  this  Wood 
bine  added,  and  in  a  predominating  degree,  the  infamous 
desire  of  plunder  and  profit.  Lucre  was  the  sole  object 
of  Arbuthnot,  and  his  means  for  procuring  it  were  saga 
cious  and  unscrupulous — proposing  to  acquire  an  influ 
ence  over  all  the  surrounding  Indian  tribes,  by  means  of 
it  to  disturb  their  existing  relations  with  their  civilized 
neighbors,  both  as  to  territory  and  trade,  and  to  engross 
the  entire  profits  of  the  latter.  A  mixed  and  unprincipled 
thirst  for  gain  and  for  fame,  seems  to  have  actuated  Am- 
brister.  Interest,  which  incited  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister 
to  produce  confusion,  made  Hambly  and  Doyle  anxious  to 
preserve  peace.  Cook  was  engaged  to  be  married  to  a 
girl  in  New  Providence,  and  felt  therefore  an  inordinate  at 
tachment  to  life,  and  little  disposition  to  run  the  hazards 
of  his  employer,  Arbuthnot.  The  "self-exiled"  prophet, 
loving  his  country  less  than  he  hated  her  enemies,  was 
filled  with  revenge  for  the  disasters  of  the  Creek  war,  for 
the  loss  of  influence  which  they  had  occasioned  him,  for 


224  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  severities  which  his  refusal  to  submit  to  the  capitula 
tion  of  Fort  Jackson  had  occasioned  him,  and  for  the  "ex 
emplary  punishment"  denounced  against  him  by  the  or 
der  of  the  secretary  of  war,  (16th  January,  1818,)  which 
was  committed  for  execution  to  General  Jackson.  He 
was  further  stimulated  by  the  pride  of  character,  which  a 
late  visit  to  England,  and  a  flattering  reception  from  the 
prince  regent,  had  inspired,  and  by  the  hope  of  reviving 
the  hostile  spirit  of  the  Creeks,  and  regaining  his  former 
influence  and  possessions.  With  a  hatred  to  the  United 
States  equally  passionate  and  fierce,  Hemithlimaco  was 
infuriated  by  a  natural  thirst  for  carnage,  superstitious  re 
verence  for  the  prophetical  dignity  of  Francis,  and  habit 
ual  eagerness  to  execute  his  most  brutal  purposes. 

The  agency  of  these  individuals,  impelling,  moderat 
ing,  or  counteracting  each  other,  and  deriving  more  or  less 
encouragement  and  aid  from  the  Spanish  authorities,  had 
kept  up  a  state  of  hesitating  war,  but  unremitting  robbery 
and  bloodshed,  on  our  southern  frontier,  ever  since  the  ter 
mination  of  the  Creek  war,  in  August,  1814.  In  its  least 
offensive  but  most  dangerous  form,  it  was  repelled  by  Ge 
neral  Jackson,  when  he  dislodged  the  British  armament 
from  Pensacola,  in  November  of  that  year.  We  have  be 
fore  attempted  to  show  how,  with  more  than  a  mother's 
care,  a  patriot's  fire,  and  a  statesman's  foresight,  on  the 
first  intelligence  of  its  appearance  there,  he  flew  unor 
dered  to  the  protection  of  Mobile,  and  fortified  and  gar 
risoned  Fort  Bowyer.  How,  while  he  awakened  by  dis 
patches  the  vigilance  of  the  cabinet,  just  composed  after 
the  capture  of  Washington — he  roused  the  patriotism  of 
the  people,  and  calling  on  Coffee  and  his  volunteers  with 
a  voice  in  which  they  heard  the  trump  of  fame,  he  forced 
the  British  to  abandon  Pensacola,  and  the  Spaniards  to 
maintain  their  neutrality.  How,  after  securing  the  left 
flank  of  his  extensive  line  of  defence,  penetrable  by  rivers, 


ANDREW    JACKSON. 

and  accessible  by  bays,  he  passed  with  incredible  expedition 
to  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi,  with  little  other  aid  from 
the  government  than  stale  i?itelligence  and  diplomatic  di 
rections,  with  arms,  flints,  and  money,  collected  by  him 
self,  with  raw,  unfurnished,  and  inferior  forces,  he  van 
quished  both  in  attack  and  defence,  the  most  formidable 
veterans  of  Europe,  and  surpassed  in  skill  and  courtesy, 
her  renowned  and  accomplished  generals.  Since  the 
peace  with  England,  these  lawless  disturbances  had  been 
continued  by  forays  of  rapine  and  murder,  principally  on 
the  southern  borders  of  Georgia,  which,  after  some  move 
ments  of  troops,  many  talks  with  the  Indians,  and  much 
diplomacy  with  Spain,  were  persevered  in  until  the  fall  of 
1817 — murder  and  military  execution  were  committed  on 
our  unsuspecting  soldiers  and  helpless  women  and  chil 
dren.  Public  opinion  now  appealed  to  the  government, 
and  the  government  to  General  Jackson.  He  took  the 
field,  and  with  that  unerring  aim  of  judgment  and  courage, 
which,  like  the  noble  instinct  of  the  mastiff,  springs  right 
at  the  heart,  he  penetrated  and  destroyed  the  sources  of 
this  cruel  and  infamous  war,  with  the  utmost  possible  ex 
pedition  and  the  least  practicable  bloodshed.  Without 
provisions,  and  with  a  force  of  only  1000  raw  militia  and 
Indians,  to  whom  too  he  was  a  stranger,  he  entered  Flo 
rida,  built  Fort  Gadsden,  routed  the  Indians  at  Micasuky, 
found  in  their  village  near  300  old  scalps,  and  on  the  pro 
phet's  red  pole  50  fresh  ones,  most  of  them  recognized  by 
the  hair  to  have  belonged  to  the  unfortunate  party  of  Lieu 
tenant  Scott.  Here,  ascertaining  from  the  prisoners  that 
a  part  of  the  enemy  had  fled  to  St.  Marks,  and  also  as 
certaining  the  criminal  complicity  of  the  commandant,  he 
formed  a  determination  to  prevent  any  further  abuse  of 
Spanish  neutrality  and  American  rights,  and  took  posses 
sion  of  that  fortress — where  he  found  "  the  advocate  for 
peace,"  Arbuthnot,  who,  with  the  innocent  and  vacant 


226  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

look  peculiar  to  his  countrymen  when  they  meditate 
shrewd  and  dangerous  designs,  sat  an  unconcerned  guest 
at  the  table  of  the  commandant.  From  St.  Marks,  dis 
covering  that  the  remnant  of  the  routed  Indians  and  ne 
groes  had  retreated  down  the  west  coast  of  East  Florida, 
in  the  direction  of  Woodbine's  grand  depot  of  Virginia 
and  Georgia  runaway  slaves,  he  pursued  and  overtook 
them  near  the  Econfinnah  swamp,  where  some  were  kill 
ed,  many  taken,  and  the  only  woman  who  escaped  death 
from  the  murderers  of  Lieutenant  Scott,  recaptured.  The 
enemy  retreating  to  the  Suwancy  were  not  allowed  time 
to  renew  their  strength  or  courage,  but  were  again  at 
tacked  and  routed,  with  such  a  loss  and  dispersion,  that 
the  victors  hoped  they  had  finished  the  war. 

On  this  occasion  Ambrister  was  made  prisoner.  The 
army  returned  to  St.  Marks,  where  the  general,  having 
received  information  from  the  governor  of  Alabama,  that 
a  large  body  of  hostile  Indians  who  had  been  committing 
fresh  murders  on  the  Alabama,  were  assembling  near 
Pensacola,  and  were  there  freely  admitted  and  constantly 
furnished  with  means  of  subsistence  and  war,  he  deter 
mined  to  cut  off  this  last  head  of  the  Hydra — to  supply 
any  defect  of  will  or  power  that  might  exist  on  the  part 
of  the  governor  to  observe  his  neutrality,  and  to  occupy 
that  place  for  a  time  also.  Marching  by  the  Ocheesee 
Bluffs,  he  was  confirmed  in  his  intention  by  finding  the 
navigation  of  the  Escambia  occluded  to  his  supplies.  He 
therefore  proceeded,  and  entering  Pensacola  on  the  24th 
of  May,  he  took  Fort  Barrancas  on  the  27th — having,  in 
his  short  campaign  of  three  months,  and  with  an  undis 
ciplined  force,  varying  from  one  to  two  thousand,  overrun 
a  country  larger  than  Italy — forced  a  Parthian  enemy 
three  times  to  action,  and  though  once  inferior  in  numbers, 
thrice  defeated  him ;  without  any  materials  for  a  military 
bridge,  having  passed  rivers  as  large  and  as  deep  as  the 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  227 

Po  or  the  Adige — without  other  subsistence  frequently 
than  acorns,  raw  hides  and  water,  having  marched  more 
than  800  miles ;  with  scarce  any  artillery,  having  taken 
by  force  or  intimidation  three  fortresses,  and  with  little 
more  than  the  energies  of  his  own  great  mind  terminated 
forever  this  savage,  servile,  and  piratical  war.  It  was  a 
subject  of  glory  to  Pompey  the  Great,  that  after  having 
worsted  Sertorius,  he  should  agree  to  conduct  the  war 
against  the  pirates.  When  General  Jackson  undertook 
the  Seminole  war,  he  had  defeated  the  best  troops,  and 
among  the  finest  generals  of  Europe,  and  terminated  the 
most  glorious  campaign  of  the  age.  Yet  he  is  found  as 
ardent  and  persevering  against  these  hordes  of  savages 
and  slaves,  as  sincerely  devoted  to  the  country,  as  any 
young  aspirant  for  fame,  little  dreaming  that  in  the  bosom 
of  that  country,  ingratitude  was  to  hatch  a  brood  of  vam 
pires  ! 

During  these  operations,  it  happened  that  the  prophet 
Francis  and  his  instrument  Kenhagee,  king  of  the  Mis- 
sissukian,  in  whose  town  the  350  scalps  were  found,  had, 
after  the  murder  of  Lieutenant  Scott  and  his  party,  seized 
Hambly  and  Doyle,  at  the  instigation  of  Arbuthnot,  under 
whose  authority  as  chief,  and  that  of  Francis,  they  were 
tried  in  council  and  sentenced  to  be  tortured  to  death,  for 
their  friendship  to  the  United  States.  From  this  wretched 
fate  they  were  rescued  by  the  spirited  interference  of  a 
negro,  Nero,  the  commander  of  60  other  negroes  in  the 
service  of  the  hostile  chief  Bowlegs,  and  were  by  his 
agency  conveyed,  as  prisoners  of  Arbuthnot,  and  his  In 
dians,  to  St.  Marks,  for  safe  keeping.  Here  they  were  re 
ceived  by  the  commandant  as  prisoners,  and  here  they 
saw  numerous  evidences  of  the  participation  of  the  Spa 
nish  authorities  in  the  Seminole  war,  but  escaping  in  a  ca 
noe,  they  were  taken  up  by  Lieutenant  M'Keever,  of  the 
United  States  navy,  in  the  adjacent  bay.  With  a  sort  of 


228  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

dramatic  coincidence,  it  came  to  pass  that  the  thirst  for  blood 
having  risen  in  the  breast  of  the  prophet  and  his  warrior 
Himithlimaco,  they  soon  repented  the  rescue  of  Hambly 
and  Doyle,  and  came  to  St.  Marks  in  quest  of  them,  just 
after  they  had  made  their  escape.  With  the  ferocious  per 
severance  of  wolves,  they  pursued  their  flight  along  the 
coast,  hoping  that  weather  or  weariness  would  force  them 
ashore,  and  soon  descried  a  vessel  at  anchor,  with  British 
colors  flying  at  the  mast  head. — After  some  reconnoiter- 
ing  they  went  aboard,  were  conducted  into  the  cabin  where 
they  found  Hambly  and  Doyle,  who  immediately  identi 
fying  them  as  the  murderers  of  Lieutenant  Scott  and  his 
party,  and  their  own  captors  and  tormentors,  they  were 
put  in  irons  by  Lieutenant  M'Keever.  These  circum 
stances  being  all  made  known  to  General  Jackson,  by  a 
mass  of  proof  and  undisputed  notoriety,  in  conformity 
with  the  order  of  the  secretary  of  war  "  to  inflict  exem 
plary  punishment  on  the  authors  of  the  atrocities"  com 
mitted  on  Lieutenant  Scott's  party,  and  Mrs.  Garrett's  fa 
mily,  he  had  them  hung,  in  accordance  with  the  principles 
of  the  law  of  nations,  and  in  obedience  to  the  dictates  of 
humanity,  which  their  atrocities  had  outraged,  and  to 
which  the  terror  and  example  of  their  fate  was  a  just  sa 
crifice,  and  proved  a  salutary  propitiation. 

The  reader  will  see  that  the  only  decoying  was  prac 
ticed  by  Lieutenant  M'Keever,  and  before  he  can  agree  to 
censure  that,  it  must  be  shown  that  our  naval  officers  had 
no  right  to  use  such  stratagems  as  the  officers  of  other 
nations  practice,  although  the  colors  of  all  nations  are  fur 
nished  them  for  this  express  purpose.  These  Indians  were 
taken  by  stratagem  and  surprise  as  Andre  was,  and  like 
that  unfortunate  officer,  who  never  violated  a  feeling  of 
humanity,  they  were  "  slaughtered" — that  is,  they  were 
hung.  In  this  punishment,  as  justice,  humanity,  and  the 
law  of  nations  were  satisfied,  it  is  to  be  observed  that  they 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  229 

being  out  of  the  United  States,  our  own  laws  were  not 
concerned.  Had  they  been  brought  within  our  limits  all 
their  crimes  must  have  gone  unpunished — for  they  had 
not  violated  our  municipal,  or  maritime,  or  martial  laws. 
But  the  law  of  nations  vests  the  right  of  retaliation  in  the 
commanding  general,  and  the  imbecility  or  dishonor  of 
the  Spanish  authorities  having  justified  the  assertion  of 
our  belligerent  rights,  it  was  the  duty  of  General  Jackson 
to  fulfil  the  instructions  of  his  government  and  bring  these 
murderers  to  punishment. 

Let  us  now  come  to  the  case  of  Arbuthnot.  From  the 
recaptured  American  woman,  who  was  the  sole  remain 
ing  survivor  of  Lieutenant  Scott's  party- — from  Cook,  his 
clerk — from  Phenix,  his  acquaintance — from  letters  and 
papers  found  in  a  vessel  of  his,  captured  in  the  mouth  of 
the  Suawney,  and  others  obtained  from  the  Indians  by 
our  agent,  it  was  proved  incontestibly  that  "  this  advocate 
for  peace,"  by  misrepresenting  the  terms  of  the  treaty  of 
Ghent — the  conduct  of  the  American  and  the  intentions 
of  the  British  government,  had  incited  in  time  of  peace 
the  Seminole  Indians  to  hostilities  against  the  United 
States.  That  to  aid  those  hostilities,  he  had  applied  in 
behalf  of  the  Indians,  to  various  functionaries  of  Britain 
for  supplies,  and  to  disguise  them  for  protection.  That 
he  had  furnished  them  with  intelligence  and  ammunition, 
for  military  purposes,  and  had  given  them  advice  and  or 
ders  in  the  management  of  the  war.  That  he  had  directed 
the  seizure  and  presided  at  the  condemnation  of  Hambly 
and  Doyle  in  consequence  of  their  being  "th«  advocates 
for  peace"  with  the  United  States.  That  he  had  instigated 
and  countenanced  the  massacre  of  Lieutenant  Scott  and 
his  party,  consisting  of  about  forty  American  citizens. 
That  as  an  Indian  chief,  he  had  permitted  our  gallant 
officers  to  be  assassinated,  our  brave  soldiers  to  be  butch 
ered  and  their  helpless  wives  to  be  murdered,  or  with  more 
20 


230  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

horrible  cruelty  spared  to  see  their  infants  "  taken  by  the 
heels  and  their  brains  dashed  out  against  the  sides  of  the 
boat."  And  that  when  one  of  the  two  women  who  had 
been  spared  (the  wife  of  an  American  Serjeant)  was  from 
pregnancy  no  longer  able  to  keep  up  with  the  march  of 
her  captors,  this  "  advocate  for  peace"  ordered  her  to  be 
put  to  death,  and  that  accordingly  she  was  bayoneted 
through  the  womb  !  From  the  same  and  other  sources  of 
proof  it  was  demonstrated  that  Ambrister  had  not  only  in 
stigated  the  Indians  to  war  against  the  United  States,  but 
had  actually  joined  them  with  a  party  of  runaway  negroes 
and  led  them  in  battle — having  used  his  commission  as  a 
British  officer  (a  nation  with  which  we  were  at  peace)  to 
promote  his  pernicious  influence  among  them,  and  having 
endeavored  by  force  to  convert  a  Spanish  fortress  into  a 
place  of  savage  hostility  against  the  United  States. 

These  are  the  men  whose  crimes  had  destroyed  so  ma 
ny  innocent  lives,  for  the  sake  of  otter-skins  and  runaway 
slaves,  and  whose  punishment  is  lamented  with  such  dig 
nified  sorrow  by  the  enemies  of  General  Jackson.  The 
evidence  against  them  satisfied  a  court  of  gallant  and  in 
telligent  officers  of  their  guilt — satisfied  the  representa 
tives  and  the  government  of  the  nation — and  convinced 
the  courts  of  Spain  and  of  England  of  the  justice  of  their 
punishment.  And  yet  because  it  is  too  voluminous  and 
intricate  to  be  readily  examined,  they  found  upon  it  im 
putations,  which  with  the  rancorous,  have  the  retributive 
property  of  injustice,  and  though  aimed  at  the  reputation 
of  another,  will  only  affect  their  own.  (3) 

Should  the  preceding  brief  sketch  and  defence  of  Gene 
ral  Jackson's  conduct,  in  the  Seminole  war,  prove  unsa 
tisfactory  to  our  readers,  we  beg  leave  to  invite  their 
perusal  of  the  following  detail  of  the  particulars  of  that 
campaign  as  given  by  the  general  in  his  reports  to  the 
(3)  See  Appendix. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  231 

secretary  of  war.  If,  however,  this  addition  should  be 
deemed  superfluous,  the  reader  will  easily  avoid  it  by 
proceeding  forthwith  to  the  commencement  of  the  next 
chapter.  On  the  25th  of  March,  1818,  the  general  reports 
as  follows : 

"  On  the  9th  instant,  I  reached  Fort  Scott,  with  the 
brigade  of  Georgia  militia,  900  bayonets  strong,  and  some 
of  the  friendly  Creeks,  who  had  joined  me  on  my  march 
a  few  days  before  ;  where,  finding  but  one  quart  of  corn 
per  man,  and  a  few  poor  cattle,  which,  added  to  the  live 
pork  I  brought  along,  would  give  us  three  days  rations 
of  meat,  determined  me  at  once  to  use  this  small  supply 
to  the  best  advantage.  Accordingly,  having  been  advised 
by  Colonel  Gibson,  quartermaster  general,  that  he  would 
sail  from  New  Orleans  on  the  12th  February,  with  the 
supplies ;  and  being  also  advised,  that  two  sloops  with 
provisions  were  in  the  bay,  and  an  officer  had  been  des 
patched  from  Fort  Scott,  in  a  large  keel  boat,  to  bring  up 
a  part  of  their  lading  ;  and  deeming  that  the  preservation 
of  those  supplies  would  be  to  preserve  the  army,  and 
enable  me  to  prosecute  the  campaign,  I  assumed  the 
command  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  ordered  the  live 
stock  slaughtered  and  issued  to  the  troops,  with  one  quart 
of  corn  to  each  man,  and  the  line  of  march  to  be  taken 
up  at  12  meridian.  Having  to  cross  the  Flint  river,  and 
it  being  very  high,  combined  with  some  neglect  in  re 
turning  the  boats  during  a  very  dark  night,  I  was  unable 
to  move  from  the  opposite  bank  until  nine  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  the  llth,  when  I  took  up  my  line  of  march 
down  the  east  bank  of  the  river  for  this  place,  touching 
the  river  as  often  as  practicable,  looking  for  the  provision 
boat  which  was  ascending,  and  which  I  was  fortunate 
enough  to  meet  on  the  13th  instant,  when  I  ordered  an 
extra  ration  to  the  troops,  they  not  having  received  a  full 
one  of  meal  or  flour  since  their  arrival  at  Fort  Early. 


232  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

On  that  day,  my  patroles  captured  three  prisoners,  and 
found  some  hidden  corn.  On  the  morning-  of  the  14th,  I 
ordered  the  boat  down  the  river  to  this  place,  whilst  I 
descended  by  land,  and  reached  here  without  interruption 
on  the  morning  of  the  16th.  The  eligibility  of  this  spot, 
as  a  depot,  determined  me,  and  I  immediately  directed 
my  aid-de-camp,  Lieutenant  Gadsden  of  the  engineer 
corps,  to  furnish  a  plan  for,  and  superintend  the  erection 
of,  a  fortification.  His  talents  and  indefatigable  zeal  dis 
played  in  the  execution  of  this  order,  induced  me  to  name 
it  Fort  Gadsden,  to  which  he  is  justly  entitled. 

"  On  my  arrival  here,  I  immediately  despatched  the 
boat  to  the  bay  for  the  balance  of  provisions  known  to  be 
there,  and  to  ascertain  whether  the  flotilla,  in  charge  of 
Colonel  Gibson,  had  reached  there ;  and  which  returned 
on  the  19th,  with  the  unpleasing  intelligence  that  nothing 
had  been  heard  from  the  flotilla  from  New  Orleans,  since 
it  was  seen  passing  Fort  Bowyer.  I  immediately  put 
the  troops  on  half  rations,  and  pushed  the  completion  of 
the  fort  for  the  protection  of  the  provisions,  in  the  event 
of  their  arrival,  intending  to  march  forthwith  to  the  heart 
of  the  enemy*  and  endeavor  to  subsist  upon  him.  In  the 
mean  time,  I  despatched  Major  Fanning,  of  the  corps  of 
artillery,  to  take  another  look  into  the  bay  ;  whose  return, 
on  the  morning  of  the  23d,  brought  the  information  that 
Colonel  Gibson,  with  one  gun-boat  and  three  transports, 
and  others  in  sight,  were  in  the  bay.  On  the  same  night. 
I  received  other  information,  that  no  more  had  arrived. 
I  am,  therefore,  apprehensive  that  some  of  the  smaller 
vessels  have  been  lost,  as  one  gun-boat  went  to  pieces, 
and  another  when  last  spoken  had  one  foot  water  in  her 
hold.  All  of  the  vessels  had  been  spoken  after  a  gale 
which  dispersed  them.  A  north  and  northwest  wind  has 
prevailed  for  six  days,  but  has  fortunately  changed  this 
morning.  I  am  now  awaiting  a  boat  from  the  bay,  (which 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  233 

is  expected  to-day)  to  complete  eight  days  rations  for  my 
troops,  upon  which  I  mean  to  march. 

"  From  information  received  from  Pensacola  and  New 
Orleans,  I  have  no  doubt  but  that  St.  Marks  is  in  posses 
sion  of  the  Indians.  The  governor  of  Pensacola  informed 
Captain  Call,  of  the  1st  infantry,  (now  here)  that  the  In 
dians  had  demanded  arms,  ammunition,  and  provisions, 
or  the  possession  of  the  garrison  of  St.  Marks,  of  the  com 
mandant,  and  that  he  presumed  possession  would  be 
given  from  inability  to  defend  it.  The  Spanish  govern 
ment  is  bound  by  treaty  to  keep  the  Indians  at  peace  with 
us ;  they  have  acknowledged  their  incompetency  to  do 
this,  and  are  consequently  bound,  by  the  law  of  nature 
and  nations,  to  yield  us  all  facilities  to  reduce  them. — 
Under  this  consideration,  should  I  be  able,  I  will  take 
possession  of  the  garrison  as  a  depot  for  my  supplies, 
should  it  be  found  in  the  hands  of  the  Spanish  garrison, 
they  having  supplied  the  Indians  ;  but  if  in  the  hands  of 
our  enemy,  I  will  possess  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  United 
States,  as  a  necessary  position  for  me  to  hold,  to  give 
peace  and  security  to  this  frontier,  and  put  a  final  end  to 
Indian  warfare  in  the  south. 

"  Finding  it  very  difficult  to  supply  Fort  Crawford,  on 
the  Conecuh  river,  by  land,  I  have  ordered  the  supplies 
for  that  garrison,  by  water,  and  written  to  the  governor 
of  Pensacola,  that  if  he  interrupts  them  during  the  pre 
sent  Indian  war,  I  shall  view  it  as  aiding  our  enemy,  and 
treat  it  as  an  act  of  hostility,  and  stated  to  him  the  pro 
priety,  under  existing  circumstances,  of  his  affording  all 
facilities  to  put  down  their  own,  as  well  as  our  enemies, 
and  that  our  governments,  whilst  negotiating,  can  take 
this  subject  under  consideration ;  but  in  the  mean  time, 
our  provisions  must  pass  to  Fort  Crawford,  without  in 
terruption. 

"  In  mine  of  the  14th  February  from  Hartford,  I  in- 


334  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

formed  you  of  the  measures  adopted  to  procure  supplies, 
and  in  my  last  of  the  26th,  from  Fort  Early,  I  informed 
you  of  their  situation.  To  those  communications  I  beg 
leave  to  refer  you.  I  have  only  to  add,  that  I  left  Fort 
Early  for  Fort  Scott,  and  subsisted  my  troops  on  ground 
pease,  corn,  and  some  pork,  that  I  could  occasionally  pro 
cure  from  the  Indians,  with  some  pork  that  I  had  on  foot, 
the  whole  subsistence  for  man  and  horse,  not  costing  five 
hundred  dollars.  Of  all  the  supplies  purchased  for  the 
relief  of  Fort  Scott,  and  the  support  of  the  Georgia  mili 
tia,  not  one  pound  was  received  until  I  passed  Fort  Scott. 
I  said  in  my  last,  that  blame  rested  somewhere  ;  the 
cause  of  those  failures,  will  in  due  time,  be  a  subject  of 
investigation,  and  Colonel  Brearly  has  been  arrested  on 
the  application  of  General  Gaines. 

"  By  some  strange  fatality,  unaccountable  to  me,  the 
Tennessee  volunteers  have  not  yet  joined  me.  They 
promptly  left  their  homes,  and  through  the  inclement 
weather,  reached  Fort  Mitchell,,  where  I  had  ordered 
them  supplies,  and  where  Colonel  Hayne,  who  led  them, 
met  my  instructions  to  pass  by  Fort  Gaines,  where  he 
would  get  a  supply  of  corn,  that  would  enable  him  to  reach 
Fort  Scott ;  but  the  idea  of  starvation  had  stalked  abroad ; 
a  panic  appears  to  have  spread  itself  every  where,  and  he 
was  told  that  they  were  starving  at  Forts  Gaines  and 
Scott,  and  was  induced  to  pass  into  Georgia  for  supplies. 
His  men  and  officers,  as  reported  to  me,  were  willing  to 
risk  the  worst  of  consequences,  on  what  they  had,  to  join 
me  ;  however  they  have  been  marched  from  their  sup 
plies,  to  a  country  stripped  of  them,  when  every  consi 
deration  should  have  induced  his  advisers  to  have  urged 
him  on  to  secure  the  supplies  in  the  bay,  and  preserved 
themselves  and  Fort  Scott  from  starvation.  I  have  a  hope 
that  they  will  join  me  before  I  reach  St.  Marks,  or  the 
•  towns  ;  this  would  be  desirable,  as  the  troops  or- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  235 

dered  from  New  Orleans  to  protect  the  supplies,  have  not 
reached  the  bay,  and  leaving  garrisons  at  Forts  Scott  and 
Gadsden  weakens  my  force  much,  the  whole  effective 
strength  of  the  regular  being  but  three  hundred  and  sixty 
privates. 

"  In  mine  of  the  26th  ult.  from  Fort  Early,  informed 
you  that  despatches  received  by  General  Gaines  on  the 
19th  ultimo  from  the  commanding  officer  at  Fort  Scott, 
induced  him  to  set  out  that  night  for  Fort  Scott,  to  prevent 
its  abandonment,  &c.  In  his  passage  down  the  Flint 
river,  he  was  shipwrecked,  by  which  he  lost  his  assis 
tant  adjutant  general,  Major  C.  Wright,  and  two  soldiers, 
drowned.  The  general  reached  me  six  days  after,  near 
ly  exhausted  with  hunger  and  cold,  having  lost  his  bag 
gage  and  clothing,  and  being  compelled  to  wander  in  the 
woods  four  and  a  half  days  without  any  thing  to  subsist  on, 
or  any  clothing  except  a  pair  of  pantaloons.  I  am  happy 
to  have  it  in  my  power  to  say  that  he  is  now  with  me  at 
the  head  of  his  brigade  in  good  health. 

"  The  great  scarcity  of  subaltern  officers  in  the  4th  and 
7th  regiments  of  infantry,  has  induced  me  to  appoint  se 
veral  young  men  present,  as  second  lieutenants  in  those 
regiments,  who,  from  personal  knowledge  and  good  re 
commendations,  I  have  no  doubt  will  prove  themselves 
worthy,  and  trust  the  measure  will  meet  the  approbation 
of  the  president.  A  list  of  their  names,  and  the  regi 
ments  to  which  they  are  attached,  will  be  furnished  the 
adjutant  and  inspector  general  by  my  adjutant  general. 

"  Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  the  pleasure  to  in 
form  you,  that  the  boat  from  the  bay  has  arrived  with 
provisions,  also  Colonel  Gibson  and  Captain  M'Kever  of 
the  navy.  I  shall  move  to-morrow,  having  made  the  ne 
cessary  arrangements  with  Captain  M'Kever  for  his  co 
operation  in  transporting  my  supplies  around  to  the  bay 
of  St.  Marks,  from  which  place  I  shall  do  myself  the 


236  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

honor  to  communicate  to  you.  Should  our  enemy  at 
tempt  to  escape  with  their  supplies  and  booty  to  the  small 
islands,  and  from  thence  to  carry  on  a  predatory  warfare, 
the  assistance  of  the  navy  will  prevent  his  escape.  Ge 
neral  Wm.  M'Intosh,  commanding  the  friendly  Creeks, 
who  had  been  ordered  to  reconnoitre  the  right  bank  of  the 
Appalachicola,  reported  to  me  on  the  19th  instant,  that  he 
had  captured,  without  the  fire  of  a  gun,  one  hundred  and 
eighty  women  and  children,  and  fifty-three  warriors,  of 
the  Red  Ground  chief's  party,  with  their  cattle  and  sup 
plies  ;  the  chief  and  thirty  warriors  making  their  escape 
on  horseback  :  ten  of  the  warriors  attempting  their  escape 
after  they  had  surrendered,  were  killed  by  the  general." 
On  the  8th  April,  the  general  continues  his  relation : 
"  I  wrote  you  from  Fort  Gadsden,  communicating  the 
embarrassments  under  which  I  had  labored  previous  to 
my  arrival  at  that  post,  and  my  determination,  being  then 
in  a  situation  to  commence  active  operations,  to  penetrate 
immediately  into  the  centre  of  the  Seminole  towns.  My 
army  marched  on  the  26th  ultimo,  and  on  the  1st  of  April 
was  reinforced  by  the  friendly  Creek  warriors  under  Ge 
neral  M'Intosh,  and  a  detachment  of  Tennessee  volunteers 
commanded  by  Colonel  Elliot.  On  the  same  day,  a  mile 
and  a  half  in  advance  of  the  Mickasukean  villages,  a  small 
party  of  hostile  Indians  were  discovered  judiciously  loca 
ted  on  a  point  of  land  projecting  into  an  extensive  marshy 
pond ;  the  position  designated,  as  since  understood,  for 
the  concentrating  of  the  negro  and  Indian  forces  to  give 
us  battle.  They  maintained  for  a  short  period  a  spirited 
attack  from  my  advanced  spy  companies,  but  fled  and 
dispersed  in  every  direction  upon  coming  in  contact  with 
my  flank  columns,  and  discovering  a  movement  to  encir 
cle  them.  The  pursuit  was  continued  through  the  Mic* 
kasukean  towns,  until  night  compelled  me  to  encamp  my 
army.  The  next  day  detachments  were  sent  out  in  every 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  237 

direction  to  reconnoitre  the  country,  secure  all  supplies 
found,  and  reduce  to  ashes  the  villages.  This  duty  was 
executed  to  my  satisfaction  :  nearly  three  hundred  houses 
were  consumed,  and  the  greatest  abundance  of  corn,  cat 
tle,  &c.,  brought  in.  Every  indication  of  hostile  spirit 
was  found  in  the  habitations  of  the  chiefs  ;  in  the  council 
houses  of  Kenhagee's  town,  the  king  of  the  Mickasukians, 
more  than  fifty  fresh  scalps  were  found ;  and  in  the  cen 
tre  of  the  public  square,  the  old  Red  Stick's  standard,  a 
red  pole,  was  erected  crowned  with  scalps,  recognized  by 
the  hair  as  torn  from  the  heads  of  the  unfortunate  com 
panions  of  Scott. 

"  As  I  had  reason  to  believe  that  a  portion  of  the  hos 
tile  Indians  had  fled  to  St.  Marks,  I  directed  my  march 
towards  that  fortress.  As  advised,  I  found  that  the  In 
dians  and  negroes  combined  had  demanded  the  surren 
der  of  that  work :  the  Spanish  garrison  was  too  weak  to 
defend  it,  and  there  were  circumstances  reported,  produ 
cing  a  strong  conviction  in  my  mind,  that  if  not  instiga 
ted  by  the  Spanish  authorities,  the  Indians  had  received 
the  means  of  carrying  on  the  war  from  that  quarter. 
Foreign  agents,  who  have  been  long  practicing  their  in 
trigues  and  villanies  in  this  country  had  free  access  into 
the  camp.  St.  Marks  was  necessary  as  a  depot  to  insure 
success  to  my  operations.  These  considerations  deter 
mined  me  to  occupy  it  with  an  American  force :  an  in 
ventory  of  the  Spanish  property,  munitions  of  war,  &c., 
has  been  taken  and  receipted  for,  and  the  commandant 
and  garrison  furnished  with  transportation  to  Pensacola. 
My  correspondence  with  the  Spanish  commandant,  the 
evidences  under  which  I  acted,  and  a  detailed  account  of 
my  operations,  will  be  furnished  you  as  early  as  practi 
cable.  Success  depends  upon  the  rapidity  of  my  move 
ments,  and  to-morrow,  I  shall  march  for  the  Suwaney 
liver ;  the  destroying  the  establishments  on  which,  will 


238 


BIOGRAPHY  OF 


in  my  opinion  put  a  final  close  to  this  savage  war.  Cap 
tain  M'Kever  of  the  navy,  cruising  at  my  request  on  this 
coast,  has  been  fortunate  enough  in  securing  Francis  or 
Hillis  Hadjo,  the  great  prophet,  and  Hemithlimaco,  an  old 
Red  Stick.  They  visited  his  vessels  under  an  impression 
they  were  English,  from  whom,  as  they  stated,  supplies 
of  munitions  of  war,  &c.,  under  late  promises,  were  ex 
pected.  Arbuthnot,  a  Scotchman,  and  suspected  as  one 
of  the  instigators  of  this  savage  war,  was  found  in  St. 
Marks.  He  is  in  confinement  until  evidences  of  his 
guilt  can  be  collected." 

On  the  20th  April,  1818,  he  continues  his  detail : 
"  My  last  communication,  dated  camp  before  St.  Marks, 
8th  April,-  and  those  to  which  it  referred,  advised  you  of 
my  movements  and  operations  up  to  that  date,  and  as  I 
then  advised  you,  I  marched  from  that  place  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  9th.  On  the  evening  of  the  10th,  I  was  joined 
by  the  rear  of  the  Tennessee  volunteers  ;  also  by  the  In 
dians  under  General  M'Intosh.  whom  I  had  left  at  Mick- 
asuky,  to  scour  the  country  around  that  place.  Although 
the  weather  has  been  dry  and  pleasant,  and  the  waters 
had  subsided  in  a  great  degree,  our  march  might  be  said 
to  have  been  through  water,  which  kept  the  infantry  wet 
to  the  middle,  and  the  depth  of  the  ewamps,  added  to  the 
want  of  forage,  occasioned  the  horses  to  give  out  daily  in 
great  numbers.  On  the  morning  of  the  12th,  near  Econ- 
finnah,  or  natural  bridge,  a  party  of  Indians  were  disco 
vered  on  the  margin  of  a  swamp,  and  attacked  by  Gene 
ral  M'Intosh  and  about  fifty  Tennessee  volunteers,  who 
routed  them,  killing  thirty-seven  warriors,  and  capturing 
six  men  and  ninety-seven  women  and  children ;  also  re 
capturing  a  white  woman  who  had  been  taken  at  the 
massacre  of  Scott.  The  friendly  Indians  also  took  some 
horses,  and  about  500  head  of  cattle  from  the  enemy,  who 
proved  to  be  M' Queen's  party.  Upon  the  application  of 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  239 

an  old  woman  of  the  prisoners,  I  agreed  that  if  M' Queen 
was  tied  and  carried  to  the  commandant  at  St.  Marks, 
her  people  should  be  received  in  peace,  carried  to  the 
upper  tribes  of  the  Creek  nation,  and  there  provisioned 
until  they  could  raise  their  own  crops.  She  appeared 
much  pleased  with  those  terms,  and  I  set  her  at  liberty 
with  written  instructions  to  the  commandant  of  St.  Marks 
to  that  effect.  Having  received  no  farther  intelligence 
from  M'Glueen,  I  am  induced  to  believe  the  old  woman 
has  complied  with  her  part  of  the  obligation. 

"  From  St.  Marks,  I  marched  with  eight  days  rations, 
those  that  joined  me  having  but  five  ;  this  was  done  under 
the  expectation  of  reaching  this  place  in  that  time,  found 
ed  on  the  report  of  my  faithful  Indian  guide,  which  I 
should  have  accomplished,  but  for  the  poverty  of  my 
horses,  and  the  continued  sheets  of  water  through  which 
we  had  to  pass.  On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  my  scouts 
overtook  a  small  party  of  Indians,  killing  one  man,  and 
capturing  the  residue,  consisting  of  one  man  and  woman, 
and  two  children,  and  on  that  evening  I  encamped,  as  my 
guide  supposed,  within  twelve  miles  of  Suwaney.  I 
marched  very  early  on  the  16ih,  under  the  hope  of  being 
able  to  encompass  and  attack  the  Indian  and  negro  towns 
by  one  o'clock  P.  M.,  but  much  to  my  regret,  at  three 
o'clock,  and  after  marching  sixteen  miles,  we  reached  a 
remarkable  pond  which  my  guide  recollected,  and  re 
ported  to  be  distant  six  miles  from  the  object  of  my  march ; 
here  I  should  have  halted  for  the  night,  had  not  six 
mounted  Indians,  (supposed  to  be  spies)  who  were  dis 
covered,  effected  their  escape ;  this  determined  me  to  at 
tempt  by  a  forced  movement,  to  prevent  the  removal  of 
their  effects,  and,  if  possible,  themselves  from  crossing 
the  river,  for  my  rations  being  out,  it  was  all  important 
to  secure  their  supplies  for  the  subsistence  of  my  troops. 
Accordingly,  my  lines  of  attack  were  instantly  formed 


340  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

and  put  in  motion,  and  about  sunset,  my  left  flank  column, 
composed  of  the  second  regiment  of  Tennessee  volunteers, 
commanded  by  Colonel  Williamson,  and  a  part  of  the 
friendly  Indians  under  Colonel  Kanard,  having  approach 
ed  the  left  flank  of  the  centre  town,  and  commenced  their 
attack,  caused  me  to  quicken  the  pace  of  the  centre,  com 
posed  of  the  regulars,  Georgia  militia,  and  my  volunteer 
Kentucky  and  Tennessee  guards,  in  order  to  press  the 
enemy  in  his  centre,  whilst  the  right  column,  composed 
of  the  1st  regiment  of  Tennessee  volunteers  under  Colo 
nel  Dyer,  and  a  part  of  the  friendly  Indians,  headed  by 
General  M'Intosh,  who  had  preceded  me,  were  endea 
voring  to  turn  his  left,  and  cut  off  his  retreat  to  the  river; 
they,  however,  having  been  previously  informed  of  our 
force,  by  a  precipitate  retreat  soon  crossed  the  river, 
where  it  is  believed,  Colonel  Kanard  with  his  Indians,  did 
them  considerable  injury.  Nine  negroes  and  two  Indians 
were  found  dead,  and  two  negro  men  made  prisoners. 

"  On  the  17th,  foraging  parties  were  sent  out,  who 
found  a  considerable  quantity  of  corn,  and  some  cattle. 
The  18th,  having  obtained  some  small  craft,  I  ordered 
General  Gaines  across  the  river  with  a  strong  detach 
ment,  and  two  days  provision,  to  pursue  the  enemy ; 
the  precipitancy  of  their  flight,  was  soon  discovered  by 
the  great  quantity  of  goods,  corn,  &c.,  strewed  through 
the  swamps,  and  convinced  General  Gaines  that  pursuit 
was  in  vain,  nine  Indians  and  five  negro  prisoners  were 
taken  by  our  Indians ;  the  evidence  of  haste  with  which 
the  enemy  had  fled,  induced  the  general  to  confine  his 
reconnoisance  to  search  for  cattle  and  horses,  both  of 
which  were  much  wanted  by  the  army.  About  thirty 
head  of  cattle  were  procured;  but  from  the  reports  ac 
companying  General  Gaines,  which  will  in  due  time  be 
forwarded  to  you,  and  the  disobedience  of  his  orders,  by 
the  Indians,  not  one  pound  was  brought  into  camp. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  241 

"  As  soon  as  time  will  permit,  I  shall  forward  a  de 
tailed  account  of  the  various  little  affairs  with  the  enemy, 
accompanied  with  reports  of  the  commanding  officers  of 
the  detachment.  Suffice  it  for  the  present  to  add,  that 
every  officer  and  soldier  under  my  command,  when  dan 
ger  appeared,  showed  a  steady  firmness  which  convinced 
me  that  in  the  event  of  a  stubborn  conflict,  they  would 
have  realized  the  best  hopes  of  their  country  and  general. 

"  I  believe  I  may  say  that  the  destruction  of  this  place 
with  the  possession  of  St.  Marks,  having  on  the  night  of 
the  18th  captured  the  late  Lieutenant  Ambrister,  of  the 
British  marine  corps,  and,  as  represented  by  Arbuthnot, 
successor  to  Woodbine,  will  end  the  Indian  war,  for  the 
present,  and  should  it  be  renewed,  the  position  taken, 
which  ought  to  be  held,  will  enable  a  small  party  to  put 
it  down  promptly. 

"  I  shall  order,  or  take  myself  M  reconnoisance,  west,  of 
the  Appalachicola,  at  Pensacola  point,  where  I  am  in 
formed,  there  are  a  few  Red  Sticks  assembled,  who  are 
fed  and  supported  by  the  governor  of  Pensacola.  My 
health  being  impaired,  as  soon  as  this  duty  is  performed, 
the  positions  taken,  well  garrisoned,  and  security  given 
to  the  southern  frontiers,  (if  the  government  have  not  ac 
tive  employment  for  me)  I  shall  return  to  Nashville  to 
regain  my  health.  Th*5  health  of  the  troops  is  much  im 
paired,  and  I  have  ordered  the  Georgia  troops  to  Hart 
ford,  to  be  mustered,  paid,  and  discharged ;  the  general 
having  communicated  his  wishes,  and  that  of  his  troops, 
to  be  ordered  dir^.ly  there,  and  reporting  that  they  have 
a  plenty  of  corn  a&d  beef,  to  subsist  them  to  that  point,  I 
have  written  to  the  governor  of  Georgia,  to  obtain  from 
the  state,  the  necessary  funds,  to  pay  General  Glascock's 
brigade  when  discharged,  and  that  the  government  will 
promptly  refund  it.  I  am  compelled  to  this  mode  to  have 
them  promptly  paid,  Mr.  Hogan,  the  paymaster  of  the  7th 
21 


242  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

infantry,  (for  whom  I  received  from,  Mr-  Brent  an  en 
closure,  said  to  contain  $50,000,)  not  having  reached  me. 

"  From  the  information  received  from  Arnbrister,  and 
a  Mr.  Cook,  who  was  captured  with  him,  that  A.  Arbuth- 
not's  schooner  was  at  the  mouth  of  this  river,  preparing 
to  sail  for  the  bay  of  Tamper,  my  aid-de-camp,  Lieute 
nant  Gadsden,  volunteered  his  services  with  a  small  de 
tachment  to  descend  the  river  and  capture  her  ;  the  im 
portance  of  this  vessel  to  transport  my  sick  to  St.  Marks, 
as  well  as  to  destroy  the  means  used  by  the  enemy,  in 
duced  me  to  grant  his  request ;  he  sailed  yesterday,  and 
I  expected  to  have  heard  from  him  this  morning.  1  only 
await  his  report  to  take  up  the  line  of  march  on  my  return 
for  St.  Marks  ;  the  Georgia  brigade,  by  whom  I  send 
this,  being  about  to  march,  compels  me  to  close  it  without 
the  report  of  Lieutenant  Gadsden." 

From  Fort  St.  Marks,  26th  April,  1818,  he  continues  : 

"  I  wrote  you  from  Bowlegs'  Town  on  the  20th  instant. 
On  the  night  of  the  same  day,  I  received  the  expected 
dispatch  from  my  aid-de-camp,  Lieutenant  Gadsden,  com 
municating  the  success  of  his  expedition  ;  and  on  the 
next  day,  as  soon  as  the  sick  of  my  army  were  dispatched 
down  the  Suwaney  river,  to  be  conveyed  in  the  captured 
schooner  to  St.  Marks,  I  took  up  the  line  of  march  for 
that  fort.  I  arrived  at  this  place  last  evening,  performing 
a  march  of  107  miles  in  less  than  five  days.  Lieutenant 
Gadsden  had  reached  it  a  few  hours  before  me.  He 
communicates  having  found,  among  the  papers  of  Arbuth- 
not,  Ambrister,  and  Cook,  letters,  memorials,  &c.  &c., 
all  pointing  out  the  instigators  of  this  savage  war,  and, 
in  some  measure,  involving  the  British  government  in 
the  agency.  These  will  be  forwarded  you  in  a  detailed 
report,  I  purpose  communicating  to  you  as  early  as  prac 
ticable. 

"  The  old  woman  spoken  of  in  my  last  communication 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  243 

to  you,  who  promised  to  use  her  influence  in  having 
M' Queen  captured  and  delivered  up,  has  not  been  heard 
of.  From  signs  discovered  on  the  opposite  shore  of  the 
St.  Marks  river,  I  am  induced  to  believe,  that  the  Indian 
party  is  still  in  this  neighborhood.  A  detachment  will 
be  sent  out  to  reconnoitre  the  country,  to  receive  them  as 
friends,  if  disposed  to  surrender,  or  inflict  merited  chas 
tisement,  if  still  hostile. 

"  I  shall  leave  this  in  two  or  three  days  for  Fort  Gads- 
den,  and  after  making  all  necessary  arrangements  for  the 
security  of  the  positions  occupied,  and  detaching  a  force 
to  scour  the  country  west  of  the  Appalachicola,  I  shall 
proceed  direct  for  Nashville.  My  presence  in  this  coun 
try  can  no  longer  be  necessary.  The  Indian  forces  have 
been  divided  and  scattered,  cut  off  from  all  communica 
tion  with  those  unprincipled  agents  of  foreign  nations, 
who  had  deluded  them  to  their  ruin.  They  have  not  the 
power,  if  the  will  remains,  of  again  annoying  our  fron 
tier." 

From  Fort  Gadsden,  5th  May,  1818,  he  writes  : 
"  I  returned  to  this  post  with  my  army  on  the  evening 
of  the  3d  instant,  and  embrace  an  early  opportunity  of 
furnishing  you  a  detailed  report  of  my  operations  to  the 
east  of  the  Appalachicola  river.  In  the  several  commu 
nications  addressed  you  from  Hartford,  Fort  Scott,  and 
this  place,  I  have  stated  the  condition  of  the  army  on  my 
assuming  the  immediate  command;  the  embarrassment 
occasioned  from  the  want  of  provisions  ;  the  privations  of 
my  troops  on  their  march  from  the  frontiers  of  Georgia  ; 
and  the  circumstances  which  compelled  me  to  move  di 
rectly  down  the  Appalachicola  river,  to  meet  with  and 
protect  the  expected  supplies  from  New  Orleans.  These 
were  received  on  the  25th  March,  and  on  the  next  day  I 
was  prepared  for  active  operations.  For  a  detailed  ac 
count  of  my  movements  from  that  period  to  this  day,  you 


344  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

are  respectfully  referred  to  the  report  prepared  by  my 
adjutant  general,  accompanied  with  Capt.  Hugh  Youngs' 
topographical  sketch  of  the  route  and  distance  performed. 
This  has  been  principally  a  war  of  movements :  the  enemy, 
cut  off  from  their  strong  holds,  or  deceived  in  the  promised 
foreign  aid,  have  uniformly  avoided  a  general  engage 
ment.  Their  resistance  has  generally  been  feeble ;  and 
in  the  partial  rencounters,  into  which  they  seem  to  have 
been  involuntarily  forced,  the  regulars,  volunteers,  and 
militia,  under  my  command,  realized  my  expectations  ; 
every  privation,  fatigue,  and  exposure,  was  encountered 
with  the  spirit  of  soldiers,  and  danger  was  met  with  a  de 
gree  of  fortitude  calculated  to  strengthen  the  confidence  I 
had  reposed  in  them. 

"  On  the  commencement  of  my  operations,  I  was  strong 
ly  impressed  with  a  belief,  that  this  Indian  war  had  been 
excited  by  some  unprincipled  foreign  or  private  agents. 
The  outlaws  of  the  old  Red  Stick  party  had  been  too  severe 
ly  convinced,  and  the  Seminoles  were  too  weak  in  numbers 
to  believe,  that  they  could  possibly,  alone,  maintain  a  war 
with  even  partial  success  against  the  United  States. 
Firmly  convinced,  therefore,  that  succor  had  been  pro 
mised  from  some  quarter,  or  that  they  had  been  deluded 
into  a  belief  that  America  dare  not  violate  the  neutrality 
of  Spain,  by  penetrating  to  their  towns,  I  early  determined 
to  ascertain  these  facts,  and  so  direct  my  movements,  as 
to  undeceive  the  Indians.  After  the  destruction  of  the 
Mickasukian  villages,  I  marched  direct  for  St.  Marks  : 
the  correspondence  between  myself  and  the  Spanish  com,- 
mandant,  in  which  I  demanded  the  occupancy  of  that 
fortress  with  an  American  garrison,  accompanies  this. 
It  had  been  reported  to  me,  direct  from  the  governor  of 
Pensacola,  that  the  Indians  and  negroes,  unfriendly  to  the 
United  States,  had  demanded  of  the  commandant  of  St. 
Marks  a  supply  of  ammunition,  munitions  of  war,  &c., 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  245 

threatening  in  the  event  of  a  noncompliance  to  take  pos 
session  of  the  fort.  The  Spanish  commandant  acknow 
ledged  the  defenceless  state  of  his  fortress,  and  his  inabi 
lity  to  defend  it ;  and  the  governor  of  Pensacola  expressed 
similar  apprehensions.  The  Spanish  agents  throughout 
the  Floridas  had  uniformly  disavowed  having  any  con 
nexion  with  the  Indians,  and  acknowledged  the  obliga 
tions  of  his  catholic  majesty,  under  existing  treaties,  to 
restrain  their  outrages  against  the  citizens  of  the  United 
States.  Indeed  they  declared  that  the  Seminole  Indians 
were  viewed  as  alike  hostile  to  the  Spanish  government, 
and  that  the  will  remained,  though  the  power  was  want 
ing,  to  inflict  merited  chastisement  on  this  lawless  tribe. 
It  was,  therefore,  to  be  supposed,  that  the  American 
army,  impelled  by  the  immutable  laws  of  self-defence,  to 
penetrate  the  territory  of  his  catholic  majesty,  to  fight  his 
battles,  and  even  to  relieve  from  a  cruel  bondage,  some  of 
his  own  subjects,  would  have  been  received  as  allies, 
hailed  as  deliverers,  and  every  facility  afforded  to  them  to 
terminate  speedily  and  successfully  this  savage  war. 
Fort  St.  Marks  could  not  be  maintained  by  the  Spanish 
force  garrisoning  it.  The  Indians  and  negroes  viewed 
it  as  an  asylum,  if  driven  from  their  towns,  and  were 
preparing  to  occupy  it  in  this  event.  It  wad  necessary  to 
anticipate  their  movements,  independent  of  the  position 
being  deemed  essential  as  a  depot,  on  which  the  success 
of  my  future  operations  measurably  depended.  In  the 
spirit  of  friendship,  therefore,  I  demanded  its  surrender 
to  the  army  of  the  United  States,  until  the  close  of  the 
Seminole  war.  The  Spanish  commandant  required  time 
to  reflect ;  it  was  granted ;  a  negotiation  ensued,  and  an 
effort  made  to  protract  it  to  an  unreasonable  length.  In 
the  conversations  between  my  aid-de-camp,  Lieutenant 
Gadsden,  and  the  Spanish  commandant,  circumstances 
transpired,  convicting  him  of  a  disposition  to  favor  the 
21* 


346  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

Indians,  and  of  having  taken  an  active  part  in  aiding  and 
abetting    them  in  this  war.     I  hesitated,   therefore,   no 
longer,  and  as  I  could  not  be  received  in  friendship,  I 
entered  the  fort  by  violence.     Two  light  companies  of  the 
7th  regiment  infantry,  and  one  of  the  4th,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Major  Twiggs,  was  ordered  to  advance,  lower 
the  Spanish  colors,  and  hoist  the  star  spangled  banner,  on 
the  ramparts  of  Fort  St.  Marks.     The  order  was  executed 
promptly,  no  resistance  attempted  on  the  part  of  the  Span 
ish  garrison.     The  duplicity  of  the  Spanish  commandant 
of  St.  Marks,  in  professing  friendship  towards  the  United 
States,  while  he  was  actually  aiding  and  supplying  her 
savage  enemies ;  throwing  open  the  gates  of  his  garrison 
to  their  free  access  ;  appropriating  the  king's  stores  to 
their  use ;   issuing  ammunition  and  munitions  of  war  to 
them  ;  and  knowingly  purchasing  of  them  property  plun 
dered  from  the  citizens  of  the  United  States,  is  clearly 
evinced  by  the  documents  accompanying  my  correspon 
dence.     In  Fort  St.  Marks,  as  an  inmate  in  the  family  of 
the  Spanish  commandant,  an  Englishman,  by  the  name 
of  Arbuthnot,  was  found.  Unable  satisfactorily  to  explain 
the  objects  of  his  visiting  this  country,  and  there  being  a 
combination  of  circumstances  to  justify  a  suspicion  that 
his  views  were  not  honest,  he  was  ordered  in  close  con 
finement.     The  capture  of  his  schooner,  near  the  mouth 
of  Suwaney  river,  by  my  aid-de-camp,  Mr.  Gadsden,  and 
the  papers  found  on  board,  unveiled  his  corrupt  transac 
tions,  as  well  as  those  of  a  Captain  Ambrister,  late  of  the 
British  colonial  marine  corps,  taken  as  a  prisoner  near 
Bowlegs'  town.     Those  individuals  were  tried,  under  my 
orders,  by  a  special  court  of  select  officers  ;  legally  con 
victed  as  exciters  of  this  savage  and  negro  war,  legally 
condemned,  and  most  justly  punished  for  their  iniquities. 
The  proceedings  of  the  court  martial  in  this  case,  with 
the  volume  of  testimony,  justifying  their  condemnation, 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  247 

presents  scenes  of  wickedness,  corruption,  and  barbarity, 
at  which  the  heart  sickens,  and  in  which,  in  this  enlight 
ened  age,  it  ought  not  scarcely  to  be  believed  that  a 
Christian  nation  would  have  participated  ;  and  yet  the 
British  government  is  involved  in  the  agency.  If  Ar- 
buthnot  and  Ambrister  are  not  convicted  as  the  authori 
zed  agents  of  Great  Britain,  there  is  no  room  to  doubt, 
but  that  that  government  had  a  knowledge  of  their  as 
sumed  character,  and  was  well  advised  of  the  measures 
which  they  had  adopted  to  excite  the  negroes  and  Indians 
in  East  Florida,  to  war  against  the  United  States.  I 
hope  the  execution  of  these  two  unprincipled  villains  will 
prove  an  awful  example  to  the  world,  and  convince  the 
government  of  Great  Britain,  as  well  as  her  subjects,  that 
certain,  if  slow,  retribution  awaits  those  unchristian 
wretches,  who,  by  false  promises,  delude  and  excite  an 
Indian  tribe  to  all  the  horrid  deeds  of  savage  war. 

"  Previous  to  my  leaving  Fort  Gadsden,  I  had  occa 
sion  to  address  a  communication  to  the  governor  of  Pen- 
sacola,  on  the  subject  of  permitting  supplies  to  pass  up 
the  Escambia  river  to  Fort  Crawford.  This  letter,  with 
a  second  from  St.  Marks,  on  the  subject  of  some  United 
States  clothing,  shipped  in  a  vessel  in  the  employ  of  the 
Spanish  government,  to  that  post,  I  now  enclose,  with  his 
reply.  The  governor  of  Pensacola's  refusal  of  my  de 
mand,  cannot  but  be  viewed  as  evincing  a  hostile  feel 
ing  on  his  part,  particularly  in  connexion  with  some  cir 
cumstances  reported  to  me  from  the  most  unquestionable 
authority.  It  has  been  stated,  that  the  Indians  at  war 
with  the  United  States,  have  free  access  into  Pensacola ; 
that  they  are  kept  advised  from  that  quarter  of  all  our 
movements  ;  that  they  are  supplied  from  thence  with  am 
munition  and  munitions  of  war,  and  that  they  are  now 
collecting  in  large  bodies  to  the  amount  of  4  or  500  war 
riors  in  that  city.  That  inroads  from  thence  have  lately 


248  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

been  made  on  the  Alabama,  in  one  of  which  18  settlers 
fell  by  the  tomahawk.  These  statements  compel  me  to 
make  a  movement  to  the  west  of  the  Appalachicola,  and 
should  they  prove  correct,  Pensacola  must  be  occupied 
with  an  American  force,  and  the  governor  treated  according 
to  his  deserts,  or  as  policy  may  dictate.  I  shall  leave 
strong  garrisons  in  Fort  St.  Marks,  Fort  Gadsden,  and 
Fort  Scott ;  and  in  Pensacola,  should  it  become  necessary 
to  possess  it. 

"  It  becomes  my  duty  to  state  it  as  my  confirmed  opi 
nion,  that  so  long  as  Spain  has  not  the  power,  or  will,  to 
enforce  the  treaties  by  which  she  is  solemnly  bound  to 
preserve  the  Indians  within  her  territory  at  peace  with 
the  United  States,  no  security  can  be  given  to  our  south 
ern  frontier  without  occupying  a  cordon  of  posts  along 
the  sea  shore.  The  moment  the  American  army  returns 
from  Florida,  the  war  hatchet  will  be  again  raised,  and 
the  same  scenes  of  indiscriminate  murder,  with  which 
our  frontier  settlers  have  been  visited,  will  be  repeated. 
So  long  as  the  Indians  within  the  territory  of  Spain  are 
exposed  to  the  delusions  of  false  prophets,  and  the  poison 
of  foreign  intrigue ;  so  long  as  they  can  receive  ammu 
nition,  munitions  of  war,  &c.,  from  pretended  traders,  or 
Spanish  commandants,  it  will  be  impossible  to  restrain 
their  outrages.  The  burning  of  their  towns,  the  destroy 
ing  of  their  stock  and  provisions,  will  produce  but  tempo 
rary  embarrassments  ;  resupplied  by  Spanish  authorities, 
they  may  concentrate  or  disperse  at  will,  and  keep  up  a 
lasting  predatory  warfare  against  the  frontiers  of  the  Uni 
ted  States,  as  expensive  as  harassing  to  her  troops.  The 
savages,  therefore,  must  be  made  dependent  on  us,  and 
cannot  be  kept  at  peace  without  being  persuaded  of  the 
certainty  of  chastisement  being  inflicted  on  the  commis 
sion  of  the  first  offence. 

"  I  trust,  therefore,  that  the  measures  which  have  been 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 

pursued  will  meet  the  approbation  of  the  president  of  the 
United  States.  They  have  been  adopted  in  pursuance  of 
your  instructions,  under  a  firm  conviction  that  they  alone 
were  calculated  to  insure  *  peace  and  security  to  the 
southern  frontier  of  Georgia.'  " 

From  Fort  Montgomery,  June  2d,  1818,  he  writes": 
"  In  a  communication  to  you  of  the  5th  of  May,  I  de 
tailed  at  length  the  operations  of  my  army  up  to  that  pe 
riod.  Leaving  a  strong  garrison  of  regulars  in  Forts 
Scott  and  Gadsden,  I  resumed  my  march,  with  a  small 
detachment  of  the  4th  regiment  of  infantry,  one  company 
of  artillery,  and  the  effectives  of  the  Tennessee  volunteers, 
the  whole  not  exceeding  twelve  hundred  men,  to  fulfill 
my  intentions,  communicated  to  you,  of  scouring  the 
country  west  of  the  Appalachicola  river.  On  the  10th  of 
May,  my  army  crossed  that  river  at  the  Ochesee  village, 
and  after  a  fatiguing,  tedious,  and  circuitous  march  of  12 
days,  misled  by  the  ignorance  of  our  pilots,  and  exposed 
to  the  severest  of  privations,  we  finally  reached  and  ef 
fected  a  passage  over  the  Escambia.  On  my  march,  on 
the  23d  of  May,  a  protest  from  the  governor  of  Pensaco- 
la  was  delivered  me  by  a  Spanish  officer,  remonstrating, 
in  warm  terms,  against  my  proceedings,  and  ordering 
me  and  my  forces  instantly  to  quit  the  territory  of  his 
catholic  majesty,  with  a  threat,  to  apply  force,  in  the 
event  of  a  non-compliance.  This  was  so  open  an  indica 
tion  of  a  hostile  feeling  on  his  part,  after  having  bren 
early  and  well  advised  of  the  object  of  my  operations,  that 
I  hesitated  no  longer  on  the  measures  to  be  adopted.  I 
marched  for,  and  entered  Pensacola,  with  only  the  show 
of  resistance,  on  the  24th  of  May.  The  governor  had 
previously  fled  to  Fort  Carlos  de  Barrancas,  where  it  was 
said  he  had  resolved  upon  a  most  desperate  resistance. 
A  correspondence  ensued  between  us,  detailing  at  length 
my  motives  for  wishing,  and  demanding,  that  Pensacola 


250  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

and  its  dependencies  be  occupied  with  an  American  gar 
rison.  The  package,  marked  B,  are  documents  substan 
tiating  the  charges,  in  part,  against  the  conduct  of  the 
Spanish  governor,  having  knowingly  and  willingly  ad 
mitted  the  savages,  avowedly  hostile  to  the  United  States, 
within  the  town  of  Pensacola.  The  peaceable  surrender 
of  the  fort  at  the  Barrancas  was  denied.  I  marched  for, 
and  invested  it,  on  the  evening  of  the  25th  of  May,  and 
on  the  same  night,  pushed  reconnoitering  parties  under 
its  very  guns.  On  the  morning  of  the  26th,  a  military 
reconnoisance  was  taken ;  and  on  the  same  night,  a  lodg 
ment  was  made,  under  a  fire  from  the  Spanish  garrison, 
by  Captain  Gadsden,  of  the  engineers,  aided  by  Captains 
Call  and  Young,  on  a  commanding  position,  within  three 
hundred  and  eighty-five  yards  of  the  Spanish  work,  and 
a  nine  pounder  mounted.  A  howitzer  battery  was  simul 
taneously  established  on  the  capitol,  and  within  seven 
hundred  and  sixty  yards  of  the  fort,  at  day  light  on  the 
37th.  The  Spanish  garrison  opened  their  artillery  on 
our  batteries  ;  a  parley  was  sounded,  a  flag  sent  in,  and 
the  surrender  of  Fort  Carlos  de  Barrancas  again  de 
manded  ;  the  favorable  positions  obtained  were  pointed 
out,  and  the  inutility  of  resistance  urged.  Anxious  to 
avoid  an  open  contest,  and  to  save  the  effusion  of  blood, 
the  same  terms  previously  offered,  were  again  tendered. 
They  were  rejected,  and  offensive  operations  recommen 
ced.  A  spirited  and  well  directed  fire  was  kept  up  the 
greater  part  of  the  morning,  and  at  intervals  during  the 
afternoon.  In  the  evening,  a  flag  was  sent  from  the 
Spanish  commandant,  offering  to  capitulate,  and  a  sus 
pension  of  hostilities  was  granted,  until  8  o'clock  next 
day,  when  articles  of  capitulation  were  signed  and  agreed 
to.  The  terms  are  more  favorable  than  a  conquered  ene 
my  would  have  merited  ;  but,  under  the  peculiar  circum 
stances  of  the  case,  my  object  obtained,  there  was  no 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  251 

motive  for  wounding-  the  feelings  of  those,  whose  military 
pride  or  honor  had  prompted  to  the  resistance  made. 
The  articles,  with  hut  one  condition,  amount  to  a  com 
plete  cession  to  the  United  States,  of  that  portion  of  the 
Floridas  hitherto  under  the  government  of  Don  Jose 
Masot. 

"  The  arrangements  which  I  have  made  to  secure 
Pensacola,  and  its  dependencies,  are  contained  in  the  ge 
neral  orders.  I  deemed  it  most  advisable  to  retain,  for 
the  present,  the  same  government  to  which  the  people 
had  been  accustomed,  until  such  time  as  the  executive  of 
the  United  States  may  order  otherwise.  It  was  necessary 
however,  to  establish  the  revenue  laws  of  the  United 
States,  to  check  the  smuggling  which  had  been  carried 
on  successfully  in  this  quarter,  for  many  years  past,  and 
to  admit  the  American  merchant  to  an  equal  participation 
in  a  trade,  which  would  have  been  denied  under  the  par 
tial  operations  of  the  Spanish  commercial  code.  Captain 
Gadsden  was  appointed  by  me  collector,  and  he  has  or 
ganized  and  left  the  department  in  the  charge  of  officers, 
on  whom  the  greatest  confidence  may  be  reposed. 

"  Though  the  Seminole  Indians  have  been  scattered, 
and  literally  so  divided  and  reduced,  as  no  longer  to  be 
viewed  as  a  formidable  enemy ;  yet  as  there  are  still 
many  small  marauding  parties,  supposed  to  be  concealed 
in  the  swamps  of  the  Perdido,  Choctawhatchey,  and  Cha- 
pouley,  who  might  make  occasional  and  sudden  inroads 
on  our  frontier  settlers,  massacring  women  and  child 
ren,  I  have  deemed  it  advisable  to  call  into  service  for  six 
months,  if  not  sooner  discharged,  two  companies  of  vo 
lunteer  rangers,  under  Captains  M'Gird  and  Boyles, 
with  instructions  to  scour  the  country  between  the  Mobile 
and  Appalachicola  rivers,  exterminating  every  hostile 
party  who  dare  resist,  or  will  not  surrender,  and  remove 
with  their  families  above  the  31st  degree  of  latitude. 


252  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

"  The  Seminole  war  may  now  be  considered  as  at  a 
close,  tranquillity  again  restored  to  the  southern  frontier 
of  the  United  States,  and  as  long  as  a  cordon  of  military 
posts  is  maintained  along  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  America 
has  nothing  to  apprehend  from  either  foreign  or  Indian 
hostilities.  Indeed  sir,  to  attempt  to  fortify,  or  protect  an 
imaginary  line,  or  to  suppose  that  a  frontier  on  the  31st 
degree  of  latitude,  in  a  wilderness,  can  be  secured  by  a 
cordon  of  military  posts,  while  the  Floridas  lie  open  to 
an  enemy,  is  visionary  in  the  extreme. 

"  Under  this  firm  belief,  I  have  bottomed  all  my  opera 
tions.  Spain  had  disregarded  the  treaties  existing  with 
the  American  government,  or  had  not  power  to  enforce 
them.  The  Indian  tribes  within  her  territory,  and 
which  she  was  bound  to  keep  at  peace,  had  visited  our 
citizens  with  all  the  horrors  of  savage  war ;  negro  bri 
gands  were  establishing  themselves,  when  and  where 
they  pleased  ;  and  foreign  agents  were  openly  and  know 
ingly  practicing  their  intrigues  in  this  neutral  territory. 

"  The  immutable  principles  therefore  of  self-defence, 
justified  the  occupancy  of  the  Floridas,  and  the  same 
principles  will  warrant  the  American  government  in  hold 
ing  it,  until  such  time  as  Spain  can  guaranty,  by  an 
adequate  military  force,  the  maintaining  her  authority 
within  the  colony. 

"  At  the  close  of  a  campaign  which  has  terminated  so 
honorably  and  happily,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  express 
my  approbation,  generally,  of  the  officers  and  soldiers  of 
every  species  of  corps,  which  I  have  had  the  honor  to 
command.  The  patience  with  which  they  endured  fa 
tigue,  and  submitted  to  privations,  and  the  determination 
with  which  they  encountered,  and  vanquished  every  dif 
ficulty,  is  the  strongest  indication  of  the  existence  of  that 
patriotic  feeling,  which  no  circumstances  can  change, 
and  of  that  irresistible  ardor  in  the  defence  of  his  country, 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  253 

which  will  prove  her  strength  and  bulwark  under  any 
experience.  I  should  do  violence  to  my  feelings,  if  I  did 
not  particularly  notice  the  exertions  of  my  quartermaster 
general,  Col.  George  Gibson,  who,  under  the  most  em 
barrassing  circumstances,  relieved  the  necessities  of  my 
army,  and  to  whose  exertions  was  I  indebted  for  the  sup 
plies  received.  His  zeal  and  integrity,  in  this  campaign, 
as  well  as  in  the  uniform  discharge  of  his  duties  since  his 
connexion  with  my  staff,  merits  the  approbation  and  gra 
titude  of  his  country." 


254  BIOGRAPHY    OF 


CHAPTER  XV. 

General  Jackson  returns  to  Nashville — His  reception — 
Cession  of  the  Floridas  to  the  United  States — General 
Jackson  appointed  governor  of  them — Delicacy  of  his 
situation — His  proclamation  to  the  people — Spanish  of 
ficers — Colonel  Callava — His  measures  in  relation  to 
them  justified. 

HAVING  closed  the  Seminole  campaign,  General  Jack 
son  prepared  to  leave  Florida  for  Nashville.  He  arrived 
there  in  June,  and  was  received  by  his  fellow-citizens 
with  their  accustomed  cordiality  and  respect.  From  this 
period  till  the  summer  of  1821,  nothing  occurred  particu 
larly  worthy  of  remark.  In  August  of  that  year,  Florida 
was  by  treaty  to  be  ceded  to  the  United  States.  By  act 
of  congress  of  the  3d  March  of  the  same  year,  the  presi 
dent  was  authorized  to  appoint  a  governor  of  East  and 
West  Florida,  and  the  person  so  appointed  was  vested 
with  all  the  military,  civil,  and  judicial  powers,  exercised 
by  the  existing  government  of  the  same.  In  virtue  of 
this  act,  Mr.  Monroe,  on  the  10th  of  March,  commission 
ed  General  Jackson,  and  vested  him  with  "  all  the  power 
and  authority  heretofore  exercised  by  the  governor  and 
captain  general  and  intendant  of  Cuba,  and  by  the  gover 
nors  of  East  and  West  Florida." 

At  the  time  designated,  General  Jackson  proceeded  to 
Florida,  and  commenced  the  duties  of  his  appointment. 
What  were  the  extent  of  the  powers  given  him  is  un 
known,  because  they  were  undefined,  and  are  believed  to 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  255 

be  limited  by  the  absolute  and  undisputed  will  of  the  go 
vernor  himself.  But  the  general  has  not  left  to  conjec 
ture  his  own  opinions  of  those  powers,  nor  of  the  manner 
in  which  they  were  exercised ;  for  in  a  case  which  came 
before  the  judiciary  for  decision,  during  the  administra 
tion  of  his  government,  and  excited  much  interest,  before 
the  opinion  of  the  court  was  pronounced  on  the  question  of 
jurisdiction,  Governor  Jackson,  according  to  Mr.  H. 
Niles,  made  several  remarks  worthy  of  himself,  and  which 
deserved  to  be  recorded ;  but  that  the  following  was  so 
perfectly  characteristic,  that,  as  the  editor  of  a  public  jour 
nal,  he  should  have  been  inexcusable  in  withholding  it 
from  his  readers.  And  it  does  indeed  do  honor  to  the 
lofty  patriotism  of  the  American  hero.  He  said.  "  I  am 
clothed  with  powers,  that  no  one,  under  a  republic,  ought 
to  possess,  and  which  I  trust  will  never  again  be  given  to 
any  man.  Nothing  will  afford  me  more  happiness  than 
to  learn  that  congress,  in  its  wisdom,  shall  have  distribu 
ted  them  properly,  and  in  such  manner  as  is  consonant 
to  our  earliest  and  dearest  impressions ;  yet  as  I  hold 
these  powers  by  the  authority  of  an  act  of  congress,  and 
commissioned  from  the  president  of  the  United  States,  it 
therefore  becomes  my  imperious  duty  to  discharge  the 
sacred  trust  imposed  on  me,  according  to  my  best  abilities, 
even  though  the  proper  exercise  of  the  powers  given, 
might  involve  me  in  heavy  personal  responsibilities.  It 
has  been  my  fortune  to  be  thus  circumstanced,  in  my  va 
rious  relations  as  a  public  servant ;  yet  I  never  have,  nor 
never  will  I,  shrink  from  the  discharge  of  my  public 
duties,  from  any  apprehension  of  personal  responsibility." 
The  delicacy  of  General  Jackson's  situation,  as  gover 
nor  of  Florida,  are  discoverable  from  the  foregoing  ex 
tract.  Several  acts  of  General  Jackson  while  he  was 
governor  of  Florida  have  rendered  him  obnoxious  to  cen 
sure  ;  particularly  his  proclamation  requiring  the  Spanish 


356  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

officers  to  leave  Pensacola,  and  his  prompt  and  justifia 
ble  proceedings  in  the  case  of  Colonel  Callava.  The 
persons  banished  were  not  citizens  of  Florida.  They 
were  Spanish  officers,  who,  by  the  treaty  negotiated  by 
Mr.  Adams,  were  required  to  leave  the  territory.  By  the 
courtesy  of  Governor  Jackson,  they  were  permitted  to  re 
main  in  Pensacola  after  the  period  designated  by  the  trea 
ty  for  their  departure,  and  the  cause  of  the  order,  com 
manding  them  to  leave  the  territory,  was  a  contempt  of 
the  judicial  character  of  Governor  Jackson  in  the  case  of 
Callava. 

We  regret  that  our  limits  will  not  admit  of  transferring 
to  these  pages  the  letter  of  Governor  Jackson  to  the  se 
cretary  of  state,  explanatory  of  his  measures  in  the  cases 
under  consideration.  The  following  proclamation,  how 
ever,  made  by  him  to  the  citizens  of  Florida,  is  full  of  in 
terest,  as  is  also  the  subjoined  defence  of  Governor  Jack 
son  by  Mr.  Adams,  then  secretary  of  state,  in  his  letter  to 
Don  Joaquin  d'Anduaga,  and  although  it  is  a  somewhat 
lengthy  detail,  yet  our  readers  will  recollect  that  brevity 
is  a  sin  of  which  Mr.  Adams  was  never  guilty,  and  we 
believe  that  on  a  perusal  of  his  admirable  defence  of  Go 
vernor  Jackson,  they  will  not  wonder  at  our  disinclination 
to  curtail  a  production  which  does  him  honor. 

Governor  Jackson's  proclamation  to  the  citizens  of  the 
Floridas  is  as  follows  : 

"  The  temporary  organization  of  the  government  of 
these  provinces,  according  to  the  act  of  congress  of  the 
last  session,  and  to  the  powers  conferred  on  me,  by  the 
president  of  the  United  States,  I  have  the  satisfaction  to 
announce,  is  now  complete.  If  it  possess  imperfections, 
or  defects,  the  reflecting  man  will  make  due  allowance, 
when  he  considers,  that  its  duration  will  be  but  short,  and 
that  it  is  the  best  that  circumstances  would  permit,  taking 
into  view  the  difficulties  I  have  had  to  encounter.  Where 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  257 

the  rule  or  law  is  certain,  I  have  considered  it  my  duty 
to  follow  it  strictly,  but  where  this  has  not  been  the  case, 
I  have  endeavored  to  make  the  best  provisions,  in  my 
power,  believing  that  government  of  some  kind  was  ab 
solutely  necessary.  It  is  my  sincere  hope,  that  this  sub 
ject  will  attract  the  earliest  attention  of  the  congress  of  the 
United  States,  and  that  the  inhabitants  of  these  provinces 
will  be  relieved  from  the  state  of  uncertainty  and  doubt, 
which  at  this  moment  must  necessarily  prevail. 

"  In  the  organization  of  the  present  temporary  govern 
ment,  and  its  execution,  I  have  kept  steadily  in  view  the 
securing  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  Floridas  all  the  privi 
leges  and  immunities  guarantied  to  them  by  the  treaty. 

"  The  principal  of  these  is  the  protection  of  their  per 
sons,  property,  and  religion,  until  they  shall  be  incorpo 
rated  into  the  union,  and  become  entitled  to  all  the  privi 
leges  and  immunities  of  citizens  of  the  United  States. 

"  In  performing  this  important  part  of  my  functions,  I 
have  endeavored  to  pursue  the  spirit  of  our  political  in 
stitutions.  I  have  made  no  discrimination  of  persons ; 
my  house  has  been  surrounded  by  no  guards ;  no  one  has 
been  kept  at  a  distance  by  repulsive  formalities ;  all  have 
had  free  admission,  and  found  a  ready  ear  when  they  re 
quired  my  aid  for  the  protection  of  their  rights. 

'*  The  American  government,  at  the  same  time  that  it 
is  the  freest,  is  perhaps  the  strongest  in  the  world ;  be 
cause  the  most  wealthy  and  most  powerful  in  society  are 
as  weak  in  opposition  to  it,  as  the  most  humble  and  ob 
scure.  It  knows  no  distinction  between  an' ex-governor 
and  a  peasant.  In  the  course  of  my  short  administra 
tion,  one  case  has  unfortunately  occurred,  which  required 
the  exertion  of  that  authority,  which  is  no  respecter  of 
persons. 

"  That  the  necessity  should  have  existed  has  occasioned 
me  pain  and  regret ;  and  especially  as  it  has  been  misun- 
22* 


258  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

derstood  by  some  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  country,  from 
a  want  of  a  sufficient  acquaintance  with  the  facts  of  the 
case,  as  well  as  with  the  character  and  principles  of  our 
government.  It  was  my  duty,  under  the  treaty,  exercis 
ing  the  government  in  the  Floridas,  to  secure  to  the  in 
habitants  all  the  evidence  of  their  right  of  property.  The 
improper  conduct  of  the  captain  general  of  Havana,  in 
withholding  documents,  or  archives  of  this  nature,  from 
an  agent  expressly  sent  to  receive  them,  increased  the  ne 
cessity  of  vigilance  on  my  part.  It  was  made  known  to 
me,  by  satisfactory  evidence,  that  there  were  documents 
of  this  character  in  the  hands  of  an  individual  here,  and 
that  these  documents  were  necessary  to  establish  the  right 
of  property  in  this  country. 

"  The  fact  ascertained,  my  duty  was  clear,  and  no  alter 
native  was  left  me. 

"  That  individual  was  ordered  to  surrender  them,  so 
that  in  pursuance  of  the  second  article  of  the  treaty,  and 
of  my  proclamation,  the  inhabitants  might  be  secured  in 
their  right  of  property.  The  individual  thus  ordered  to 
deliver  them,  instead  of  obeying,  as  he  ought,  the  com 
mands  of  the  government,  under  which  he  was  protected, 
and  which  could  know  no  superior,  excepting  the  congress 
or  president  of  the  United  States,  shifted  them  into  the 
hands  of  the  person  who  lately  administered  the  govern 
ment  of  this  province,  and  who  had  been  authorized  by 
the  captain  general  to  surrender  the  country  agreeably  to 
the  stipulations  of  the  treaty.  This  person,  whether  from 
misapprehension  or  from  worse  motives,  considered  him 
self  not  responsible  for  any  act  of  his  to  the  government  of 
the.  Floridas,  and  appeared  entirely  insensible  to  the  im 
propriety  of  not  having  made  a  delivery  of  these  documents 
of -his  own  accord.  Whatever  diplomatic  privileges  he 
might  have  been  entitled  to,  these  privileges  had  ceased 
upon  the  surrender  of  this  country,  and  he  was  not  known 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  259 

to  me,  or  recognized  as  having  any  other  rights  than  those 
of  a  common  individual.  It  was  not  enough  for  him  to 
consider  himself  a  public  agent  of  the  king  of  Spain,  and 
reside  here  for  the  purpose  of  transacting  official  business 
with  the  agents  of  the  United  States,  but  it  was  necessary 
that  he  should  have  made  known  the  object  and  purpose 
of  his  stay  ;  had  he  done  so,  he  would  have  been  informed 
at  once  by  me,  that  my  own  functions  having  ceased  as 
commissioner,  no  one  but  the  president  of  the  United  States 
had  any  power  to  give  him  permission  to  remain  here  as 
a  diplomatic  agent,  enjoying  the  privileges  of  a  foreign 
minister.  The  natural  consequences  of  his  conduct  are 
too  well  known,  and  need  not  be  detailed. 

"  With  the  exception  of  this  solitary  instance,  I  feel 
the  utmost  confidence  in  saying  that  nothing  has  occurred, 
notwithstanding  the  numerous  cases  in  which  I  have  been 
called  upon  to  interpose  my  authority,  either  in  a  judicial 
or  executive  capacity,  to  occasion  any  thing  like  distrust, 
discontent,  or  want  of  confidence;  and- 1  cheerfully  take 
this  occasion  to  express  my  satisfaction,  with  the  peaceful, 
obedient,  and  orderly  conduct  of  all  those,  whose  allegi 
ance  has  been  transferred  to  the  United  States,  by  the  ces 
sion  of  the  country.  It  is  true,  the  recent  occurrence, 
connected  with  the  one  referred  to,  has  compelled  me  to 
take  measures  I  conceived  necessary  for  the  character, 
dignity,  and  harmony  of  the  government  I  administer, 
and  which  at  the  same  time,  were  the  mildest  the  circum 
stances  would  admit.  I  allude  to  the  conduct  of  a  num 
ber  of  Spanish  officers,  remaining  here  after  the  cession, 
without  my  permission,  but  which  would  certainly  not 
have  been  withheld  from  them,  so  long  as  they  demeaned 
themselves  respectfully  to  the  existing  authorities,  and  re 
frained  from  any  improper  interference  with  the  measures 
of  the  government.  This  respect  is  due  from  foreign 
officers  in  all  countries — their  situation  is  materially  dif- 


360  BIOGRAPHY  OP 

ferent  from  that  of  other  aliens,  and  their  conduct  ought 
therefore  to  be  more  circumspect.  In  the  United  States, 
those  are  severely  punished,  who  are  guilty  of  writing  in 
a  libelous  manner  of  proceedings  in  courts  of  justice. 
For  what  tends  to  bring  the  judiciary  into  disrepute,  shakes 
the  public  confidence  in  that  part  of  the  government  that  is 
looked  upon  as  the  most  sacred  depository  of  individual 
rights.  Hence,  in  both  these  points  of  view,  without  no 
ticing  the  singular  conduct  of  the  Spanish  officers,  acting 
as  if  they  considered  themselves  a  distinct  and  separate 
body — an  imperium  in  imperio — they  were  guilty  of  great 
indiscretion  and  impropriety  in  publishing  a  most  inde 
cent  libel  against  the  judiciary  proceedings  of  the  highest 
tribunal  in  the  Floridas.  Had  I  consulted  my  personal 
feelings,  having  entertained  a  favorable  opinion  of  some 
of  them,  and  enmity  to  none,  I  should  have  been  disposed 
to  have  suffered  the  act  to  sink  into  oblivion.  But  the 
dignity  and  honor  of  the  government  forbade  that  conduct 
so  outrageous  should  pass  unnoticed.  I  might  appeal  to 
those  very  persons,  and  ask  what  would  be  the  conse 
quences  if  a  band  of  American  officers  should  offer  such 
an  insult  to  the  government  of  a  Spanish  province  ?  But 
the  inhabitants  of  the  Floridas  may  rest  assured  that  what 
ever  may  be  the  impropriety  or  imprudence  of  some,  it 
will  have  no  effect  upon  my  feelings  towards  the  rest — 
the  innocent  will  not  be  confounded  with  the  guilty,  and 
all  will  continue  to  experience  the  same  protection  and 
respect  for  their  rights  which  has  heretofore  been  extend 
ed,  provided  they  demean  themselves  with  that  propriety 
which  becomes  every  good  citizen  and  subject :  and  should 
any  of  them,  under  the  influence  of  momentary  passion 
or  feeling,  be  dissatisfied  with  the  measures  I  have  pursued, 
on  a  return  of  their  sober  judgment,  I  feel  confident  they 
will  be  compelled  to  approve.'* 

The   following  is    Mr.    Adams'    defence   of  General 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  261 

Jackson's  administration  of  the  government  of  the  Flori- 
das,  in  his  letter  to  Don  Joaquin  d'Anduagua  : 

"  In  the  letters  which  I  had  the  honor  of  writing  you, 
on  the  2d  of  November,  and  31st  of  December  last,  you 
were  informed  that  a  definitive  answer  to  the  complaints 
against  certain  proceedings  of  General  Andrew  Jackson, 
while  governor  of  Florida,  which  were  contained  in  a 
letter  to  this  department  from  Don  Hilario  de  Rivas  y  Sal 
mon,  before  your  arrival  in  this  country,  and  in  your  let 
ters  of  the  18th  and  22d  of  November,  would  be  given  af 
ter  the  substance  of  those  complaints  should  have  been 
made  known  to  General  Jackson,  and  his  explanations  of 
the  motives  and  considerations  by  which  he  had  been  go 
verned  in  adopting  the  measures  complained  of,  should 
have  been  received. 

"  In  performing  this  promise,  I  am  commanded  by  the 
president  of  the  United  States  to  repeat  the  assurance  of 
his  deep  regret,  that  the  transactions,  which  formed  the 
subject  of  these  complaints,  should  ever  have  occurred, 
and  his  full  conviction,  upon  a  review  of  all  the  circum 
stances  which  have  attended  them,  that  they  are  attributa 
ble  entirely  to  the  conduct  of  the  governor  and  captain  ge 
neral  of  Cuba,  and  of  the  subordinate  officers  of  Spain,  in 
evading  and  refusing  the  fulfillment  of  the  most  express 
and  positive  stipulations  of  the  treaty,  both  of  evacuating 
the  province  within  six  months  from  the  exchange  of  the 
ratifications  of  the  treaty,  and  of  delivering  the  archives 
and  documents  relating  directly  to  the  property  and  sove 
reignty  of  the  provinces. 

**  At  the  time  of  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of  the 
treaty,  your  predecessor,  General  Vives,  delivered  an  order 
from  his  catholic  majesty  to  the  captain  general  and  go 
vernor  of  the  island  of  Cuba,  and  of  the  Floridas,  inform 
ing  him  of  the  cession  to  the  United  States  of  that  part  of 
the  provinces  of  which  he  was  the  governor,  that  was 


262  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

situated  on  this  continent,  and  instructing  him  as  fol 
lows  : 

"  *  I  command  you,  and  ordain,  that,  after  the  informa 
tion  which  shall  be  seasonably  given  you  by  my  minister 
plenipotentiary  and  envoy  extraordinary  at  Washington, 
of  the  ratifications  having  been  exchanged,  you  proceed, 
on  your  part,  to  make  the  proper  dispositions,  in  order 
that,  at  the  end  of  six  months,  counting  from  the  date  of 
the  exchange  of  the  ratifications,  or  sooner  if  possible,  the 
Spanish  officers  and  troops  may  evacuate  the  territories 
of  both  Floridas,  and  that  possession  of  them  to  be  given 
to  the  officers  or  commissioners  of  the  United  States,  duly 
authorized  to  receive  them.  You  shall  arrange,  in  proper 
time,  the  delivery  of  the  islands  adjacent  and  dependent 
upon  the  two  Floridas,  and  the  public  lots  and  squares, 
vacant  lands,  public  edifices,  fortifications,  barracks,  and 
other  buildings,  which  are  not  private  property ;  as  also 
the  archives  and  documents  which  relate  directly  to  the 
property  and  sovereignty  of  the  same  two  provinces,  by 
placing  them  at  the  disposal  of  the  commissaries  or  officers 
of  the  United  States,  duly  authorized  to  receive  them.' 

"  This  order,  thus  clear  and  explicit,  was  dispatched,  to 
gether  with  letters  from  General  Vives,  to  the  governor 
of  Cuba  and  the  Floridas,  notifying  him  of  the  exchange 
of  the  ratifications  of  the  treaty,  by  Col.  James  G.  Forbes, 
who  was  commissioned,  *  as  agent  and  commissary  of  the 
United  States,  to  deliver  to  him  the  royal  order,  to  ar 
range  and  concert  with  him,  conformably  to  instructions 
committed  therewith,  the  execution  of  the  above  stipula 
tions,  and  to  receive  from  the  said  governor  and  from  any 
and  every  person  possessed  of  the  said  archives  and  do 
cuments,  all  and  every  one  of  the  same,  and  to  dispose 
thereof  in  the  manner  prescribed  by  his  instructions.1 
Colonel  Forbes'  authority,  thus,  was  to  receive  the  docu 
ments  and  archives,  and  to  concert  and  arrange  with  the 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  263 

governor  of  the  Floridas,  the  delivery  of  those  provinces, 
which  General  Jackson  was  commissioned  to  receive, 
take  possession  of,  and  occupy*  and  of  which  he  was  fur 
ther  commissioned  to  be  the  governor,  when  surrendered 
to  the  United  States. 

"  The  royal  order  was  delivered  by  Colonel  Forbes  to 
the  governor  of  the  Floridas,  at  the  Havana,  on  the  23d  of 
April,  1821.  There  has  been  shown  by  that  governor  no 
cause  or  reason  which  could  justly  have  required  him  to 
delay  the  delivery  of  the  documents  and  archives,  and  the 
arrangements  for  the  delivery  of  the  provinces,  beyond 
the  term  of  a  single  week.  There  were  twenty  boxes  of 
those  archives  and  documents  ;  the  whole,  or  with  very 
few  exceptions  the  wrhole  of  which,  ought,  by  the  posi 
tive  stipulation  of  the  treaty,  and  by  the  express  order  of 
the  king  of  Spain,  to  have  been  immediately  delivered  to 
Colonel  Forbes.  Not  one  of  them  was  delivered  to  him  ; 
nor  has  one  of  them  been  delivered  to  this  day. 

"  The  orders  for  the  surrender  of  the  provinces  were 
delayed  from  day  to  day,  notwithstanding  the  urgent  and 
continual  solicitations  of  Colonel  Forbes,  for  the  term  of 
six  weeks,  at  the  end  of  which,  to  avoid  further  indefinite 
procrastination,  he  was  compelled  to  depart  without  re 
ceiving  the  archives  and  documents,  but,  with  repeated 
promises  of  the  governor,  that  they  should  be  transmitted 
to  this  government — promises  which  have  remained  to 
this  day  unperformed. 

"  The  orders  for  the  delivery  of  the  provinces  themselves, 
were  not  only  thus  unreasonably  withheld,  but  when  made 
out,  though  not  furnished  to  Colonel  Forbes  till  the  last 
week  in  May,  were  made  to  bear  date  on  the  fifth  of  that 
month  :  nor  were  they  prepared  conformably  to  the  stipu 
lation  of  the  treaty,  or  to  the  royal  order  of  his  catholic 
majesty ;  for,  instead  directing  the  surrender  to  be  made 
to  the  commissioners  or  officers  of  the  United  States,  duly 


264  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

authorized  to  receive  them,  the  instruction  to  the  comman 
ders  in  East  and  West  Florida  was  to  deliver  those  res 
pective  provinces  to  Colonel  Forbes  himself,  who  had  from 
the  United  States  no  authority  to  receive  them.  And  al 
though  expressly  advised  of  this  fact  by  Colonel  Forbes, 
with  the  request  that  the  orders  of  delivery  might  be 
amended,  and  made  conformable  to  the  treaty,  and  to  the 
royal  command,  Governor  Mahy  did  not  so  amend  it,  but 
reduced  Colonel  Forbes  to  the  alternative  of  submitting 
to  further  delays,  or  of  departing  with  an  imperfect  and 
ambiguous  order  of  delivery  of  West  Florida,  authoriz 
ing  its  surrender  to  the  legally  constituted  authorities  of 
the  United  States,  (that  is,  as  Governor  Mahy  well  knew, 
to  General  Andrew  Jackson,)  only,  in  case  of  any  accident 
happening  to  Colonel  Forbes,  when  he  still  affected  to  con 
sider,  notwithstanding  his  own  express  declaration  to  the 
contrary,  as  the  commissioned  agent  of  the  United  States 
to  that  effect. 

"  The  twenty  boxes  of  documents  and  archives,  which 
were  at  the  Havana,  as  has  been  mentioned,  had  been 
transmitted  thither  from  Pensacola  ;  and  contained  all  the 
most  important  records  of  property  in  West  Florida.  The 
possession  of  them  was  in  the  highest  degree  important 
to  the  United  States,  not  only  as  the  vouchers  of  indivi 
dual  property,  but  as  protecting  guards  against  the  im 
posture  of  fraudulent  grants. 

"  The  same  persevering  system  of  withholding  docu 
ments  which  it  was  their  duty  to  deliver,  has  marked,  I  am 
deeply  concerned  to  say,  the  conduct  of  both  the  commanders 
of  East  and  West  Florida,  who  were  charged,  respective 
ly,  to  deliver  those  provinces  to  the  United  States.  It  is 
to  this  cause,  and  to  this  alone,  as  appears  from  a  review 
of  all  the  transactions  of  which  you  have  complained,  that 
must  be  traced  the  origin  of  all  those  severe  measures 
which  General  Jackson  himself  was  the  first,  while  deem- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  265 

ing  them  indispensable  to  the  discharge  of  his  own  official 
duties,  to  lament.  Charged  as  he  was  with  the  trust  of 
receiving  the  provinces  in  behalf  of  the  United  States,  of 
maintaining  their  rights  of  property  within  them,  of  guard 
ing  them  to  the  utmost  of  his  power  from  those  frauds  to 
which  there  was  too  much  reason  to  apprehend  they  would 
be  liable,  and  to  which  the  retention  of  the  documents 
gave  so  great  and  dangerous  scope ;  intrusted,  from  the 
necessity  of  the  case,  during  the  interval  of  time,  while 
the  general  laws  of  the  United  States  remained  unextended 
to  the  provinces,  with  the  various  powers  which  had,  un 
til  that  time,  been  exercised  by  the  Spanish  governors, 
and  which  included  the  administration  of  justice  between 
individuals  ;  it  was  impossible  that  he  should  not  feel  the 
necessity  of  exercising,  under  circumstances  thus  exas 
perating  and  untoward,  every  authority  committed  to  him 
by  the  supreme  authority  of  his  country,  to  preserve  in 
violate,  so  far  as  on  him  depended,  the  interests  of  that 
country,  and  the  sacred  obligations  of  individual  right. 

"  In  the  proceedings  connected  with  the  delivery  of  the 
province,  he  had  as  little  reason  to  be  satisfied  with  the 
conduct  of  Colonel  Callava,  as  with  that  of  the  captain 
general.  On  a  plea  of  indisposition,  that  officer  had,  on 
the  day  of  the  surrender,  evaded  the  performance  of  a 
solemn  promise,  which  General  Jackson  had  considered 
an  indispensable  preliminary  to  the  act ;  and  afterwards 
the  colonel  positively  declined  its  fulfillment.  He  had, 
however,  completed  the  surrender  of  the  province  with 
which  he  had  been  charged.  He  had  declined  producing 
to  General  Jackson  any  credential  as  a  commissioner  for 
performing  that  act ;  but  had  informed  him  that  he  should 
make  the  surrender  as  the  commanding  officer  of  the  pro 
vince,  by  virtue  of  orders  from  his  superior.  Thi's  ser 
vice  had  been  consummated ;  and  Colonel  Callava,  whom 
General  Jackson  had  formerly  notified  that  he  had  closed 
23 


266  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

with  him  his  official  correspondence  forever,  was  bound, 
by  the  special  stipulations  of  the  treaty,  to  have  evacuated, 
as  one  of  the  Spanish  officers,  the  province,  before  the  22d 
of  August.  If  General  Jackson  had,  in  courtesy  to  Co 
lonel  Callava,  considered  him,  notwithstanding  his  own 
disclaimer  of  the  character,  as  a  commissioner,  for  the  de 
livery  of  the  province,  there  can  be  no  pretence  that  he 
was  entitled  to  special  privileges  under  it,  after  he  had 
avowedly  performed  all  its  duties  ;  after  he  had  been  in 
formed  by  General  Jackson  that  their  official  correspon 
dence  was  finally  closed ;  and  after  the  date  when,  by  the 
positive  engagements  of  the  treaty  which  he  was  to  exe 
cute,  he  was  bound  to  have  departed  from  the  province. 
From  the  time  when  his  functions  for  the  surrender  of  the 
province  were  discharged,  he  could  remain  in  Pensacola  no 
otherwise  than  as  a  private  unprivileged  individual,  ame 
nable  to  the  duly  constituted  American  authorities  of  the 
place,  and  subject  to  the  same  control  of  General  Jackson, 
as  a  private  citizen  of  the  United  States  would  have  been 
to  that  of  the  governor  of  the  Floridas,  before  the  surren 
der  had  taken  place. 

"  That  this  was  the  opinion  of  Colonel  Callava  himself, 
and  of  his  friends  who  applied  to  Judge  Fromentine  for  the 
writ  of  habeas  corpus,  to  rescue  him  from  the  arrest  under 
which  he  was  placed  by  the  order  of  General  Jackson,  is 
apparent  from  their  conduct  on  that  occasion.  It  is  stated 
by  Judge  Fromentine,  that  before  granting  the  supposed 
writ  of  habeas  corpus,  he  required  that  Colonel  Callava 
should  enter  into  a  recognizance  for  twenty  thousand  dol 
lars,  with  two  securities,  each  for  the  amount  of  ten  thou 
sand  dollars ;  the  condition  of  which  recognizance  was, 
that  Colonel  Callava  should  personally  be  and  appear  be 
fore  the  judge  of  the  United  State^  for  West  Florida,  &c., 
whenever  required  so  to  do  ;  that  he  should  not  depart 
from  the  city  of  Pensacola,  without  the  leave  of  the  said 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  267 

court,  nor  send  away,  remove,  or  otherwise  dispose  of,  un 
known  to  the  said  court,  any  of  the  papers  in  question. 
It  was  only  upon  the  promise  of  his  friends  that  this  re 
cognizance  should  be  executed,  that  Judge  Fromentine  con 
sented  to  issue  the  writ  of  habeas  corpus ;  and  this  recog 
nizance  renounces  in  fact  every  pretension  of  exemption 
from  the  judicial  authority  of  the  country;  and  consequent 
ly  of  the  diplomatic  privileges  of  a  commissioner. 

"  It  has  been  seen  that  the  most  important  documents  re 
lating  to  the  property  of  West  Florida  had  been  transmitted 
to  the  Havana ;  there  remained,  however,  a  portion  of 
them,  particularly  of  judicial  records,  relating  to  the  titles 
of  individual  property.  Some  of  these  Colonel  Callava 
did  deliver  up  with  the  province ;  others,  of  the  same  de 
scription  and  character,  indispensable  for  the  administra 
tion  of  justice  in  the  province,  and  useless  at  the  Havana, 
whither  it  was  his  intention  to  have  transported  them, 
were  retained ;  not  in  his  possession,  but  in  that  of  Don 
Domingo  Sousa,  a  Spanish  officer,  who,  by  the  stipulation 
of  the  treaty,  ought  also  to  have  departed  from  the  province 
before  the  22d  of  August. 

"  The  day  immediately  preceding  that  date,  the  alcaid  of 
Pensacola,  at  the  suit  of  a  woman,  in  a  humble  walk,  in 
deed,  of  life,  but  whose  rights  were,  in  the  eye  of  General 
Jackson,  equally  entitled  to  his  protection  with  those  of  the 
the  highest  rank,  or  the  most  commanding  opulence,  had 
represented  to  him  that  a  number  of  documents,  belonging 
to  the  alcaid' s  office,  and  relating  to  estates  at  that  place, 
and  to  suits  there  instituted,  were  in  the  possession  of  Do 
mingo  Sousa  ;  that  the  necessity  for  obtaining  possession 
of  those  documents  was  urgent,  and  therefore  she  requested 
the  governor  to  authorize  some  one  to  make  a  regular  de 
mand  of  them,  and  to  ascertain  what  they  were.  Gover 
nor  Jackson,  accordingly,  forthwith  commissioned  the  se 
cretary  of  the  territory,  the  alcaid  of  Pensacola  himself, 


268  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

arid  the  clerk  of  the  county  court  of  Escambia,  to  proceed 
to  the  dwelling  of  Sousa,  to  make  demand  of  all  such  pa 
pers  or  documents,  belonging  to  the  alcaid's  office,  as 
might  be  in  his  possession  ;  and  in  case  of  Sousa's  refusal 
to  exhibit  or  deliver  the  same,  immediately  to  report  the 
fact  to  him,  the  governor,  in  writing.  These  commission 
ers  the  next  day  reported  to  the  governor  that  they  had 
examined  the  papers  in  the  possession  of  Sousa  ;  that  they 
had  found  among  them  four  sets  of  papers  of  the  kind 
which  belonged  to  the  office  of  the  alcadi,  and  among  them 
those  in  which  the  woman,  from  whom  the  first  applica 
tion  had  proceeded,  was  interested ;  that  they  had,  both 
verbally  and  in  writing,  demanded  of  him  the  delivery  of 
those  documents,  which  no  private  individual  had  a  right 
to  keep,  as  they  related  to  the  rights  of  persons  holding  or 
claiming  property  in  the  province  ;  but  that  Sousa  had  re 
fused  to  deliver  them,  alleging  that  he  was  but  the  servant 
of-  Colonel  Callava,  and  could  not  deliver  them  without 
his  order.  In  the  transactions  of  Sousa,  on  this  occasion, 
is  manifested  the  same  consciousness  that  the  claim  of 
diplomatic  privilege,  set  up  by  Colonel  Callava,  to  screen 
him  from  the  operation  of  the  authority  of  Governor  Jack 
son,  was  without  foundation.  For,  although  he  refused 
to  deliver  up  the  papers,  conformably  to  the  governor's 
command,  he  submitted  to  the  examination  of  them  by 
the  commissioners,  in  obedience  to  the  same  authority ; 
and  though  he  declined  receiving  from  them  the  letter  de 
manding  the  delivery  of  the  papers,  he  told  them,  that  to 
relieve  himself  from  the  responsibility  of  keeping  them, 
he  should  deliver  them  to  Governor  Callava  himself. 
They  were  accordingly  sent  to  the  house  of  Colonel  Cal 
lava,  and  put  into  the  possession  of  his  steward  Fullerat. 
It  is  clear,  however,  that,  if  the  papers,  while  in  Sousa's 
possession,  were  privileged  from  delivering  up  at  the  com 
mand  of  Governor  Jackson*  they  were  equally  privileged 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  269 

from  examination  by  the  same  authority ;  and,  if  they 
were  not  lawfully  screened  from  his  process  in  the  custody 
of  Sousa,  they  could  not  be  made  so  by  removing  them  to 
the  house  of  Colonel  Cailava.  The  truth  is,  that  the  re 
moval  of  the  documents,  at  that  time,  and  in  such  a  man 
ner,  was  a  high  and  aggravated  contempt  of  the  lawful 
authority  of  the  governor.  It  not  only  claimed  for  Colo 
nel  Cailava  diplomatic  immunities,  but  assumed  that  he 
was  still  the  governor  of  the  province,  and  that  Sousa  was 
amenable  for  his  conduct  only  to  him.  Colonel  Cailava 
might,  on  the  same  pretence,  have  retained  the  whole  body 
of  the  Spanish  officers  and  troops  under  his  command  at 
Pensacola,  and  insistecLon  exercising  over  them  all  his 
extinguished  authority,  as  governor  and  commander  in 
chief,  after  the  21st  of  August,  as  he  could  to  exercise 
any  official  authority  within  the  province,  over  Domingo 
Sousa,  or  to  extricate  him  from  the  lawful  jurisdiction  of 
Governor  Jackson. 

"  It  is  under  these  circumstances  that  the  subsequent 
measures  of  Governor  Jackson  are  to  be  considered.  He 
immediately  issued  an  authority  to  Col.  Robert  Butler,  and 
Col.  John  Miller,  to  seize  the  body  of  Sousa,  together  with 
the  papers,  and  to  bring  them  before  him,  that  Sousa  might 
answer  such  interrogatories  as  might  be  put  to  him,  and 
comply  with  such  order  and  decree,  touching  the  said  do 
cuments  and  records,  as  the  rights  of  the  individuals,  se 
cured  to  them  by  the  treaty,  might  require,  and  the  justice 
of  the  case  might  demand.  By  virtue  of  this  order,  Sousa 
was  brought  before  Governor  Jackson,  and  again  recog 
nized  the  authority  under  which  he  was  taken,  by  answer 
ing  the  interrogatories  put  to  him.  But  he  had  already 
put  the  papers  and  documents  out  of  his  possession  ;  and 
thus,  as  far  as  was  in  his  power,  baffled  the  ends  of  jus 
tice,  and  set  at  defiance  the  lawful  authority  of  the  go 
vernor. 

23* 


270  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

"  In  this  transaction,  Colonel  Callava  was  avowedly  the 
principal  agent ;  and  altogether  unjustifiable  as  it  was, 
whatever  consequences  of  inconvenience  to  himself  re 
sulted  from  it,  must  be  imputed  to  him.  It  was  an  undis 
guised  effort  to  prostrate  the  authority  of  the  United 
States  in  the  province ;  nor  had  Governor  Jackson  any 
other  alternative  to  choose,  than  tamely  to  see  the  sove 
reign  power  of  his  country,  intrusted  to  him,  trampled 
under  foot,  and  exposed  to  derision  by  a  foreigner,  remain 
ing  there  only  upon  his  sufferance,  or  by  the  vigorous  ex 
ercise  of  his  authority  to  vindicate  at  once  the  rights  of 
the  United  States,  and  the  just  claims  of  individuals  to 
their  protection. 

"  Governor  Jackson  could  consider  Colonel  Callava  in 
no  other  light  than  that  of  a  private  individual,  entitled 
indeed,  as  the  officer  of  a  foreign  power,  to  courtesy,  but 
not  to  exemption  from  the  process  of  the  law.  Notwith 
standing  his  improper  conduct,  Governor  Jackson,  in 
the  first  instance,  authorized  Col.  Butler  and  Dr.  Bro- 
naugh,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Brackenridge,  the  alcaid, 
to  wait  upon  him  and  his  steward,  and  demand  from  them 
the  specified  papers,  which  Sousa  had  declared,  in  his  an 
swer  to  the  interrogatories  to  have  been  delivered  to  the 
steward  at  Governor  Callava's  house.  It  was  only  in 
case  of  the  refusal  to  give  up  the  papers,  that  the  order 
extended  to  the  seizure  of  the  person  of  Colonel  Callava, 
that  he  might  be  made  to  appear  before  Governor  Jackson, 
to  answer  interrogatories,  and  to  abide  by,  and  perform, 
such  order  and  decree  as  the  justice  of  the  case  might 
demand.  This  demand  was  accordingly  made,  and  al 
though  at  the  first  moment  peremptorily  refused,  yet,  upon 
Colonel  Callava's  being  informed  that  his  refusal  would 
be  considered  as  setting  at  defiance  the  authority  of  the 
governor  of  the  Floridas,  and  of  the  consequences  to  him 
self  which  must  ensue  upon  his  persisting  therein,  he  de- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  271 

sired  to  be  furnished  with  a  memorandum  setting  forth 
the  documents  required,  which  was  accordingly  done. 
But  when  the  delivery  of  the  papers  was  again  demanded 
of  him,  he  repeated  the  refusal  to  deliver  them,  and  at 
tempted  both  to  avoid  the  personal  approach  of  Colonel 
Butler  and  Dr.  Bronaughr  and  to  exhibit  a  resistance  by 
force  of  arms  to  the  execution  of  the  governor's  order. 
And  it  is  not  a  little  remarkable,  that  among  the  persons 
who  appeared  thus  arrayed  against  the  authority  of  the 
United  States,  to  accomplish  the  denial  and  removal  of 
the  papers,  was  a  man  against  whom  the  most  important 
of  those  papers  were  judicial  decisions  of  Governor  Cal- 
lava  himself,  in  behalf  of  the  orphan  children,  for  the  es 
tablishment  of  whose  rights  they  were  indispensably  ne 
cessary,  and  at  whose  application  they  had  been  required. 

"  Standing  thus,  in  open  defiance  to  the  operation  of 
the  law,  Colonel  Callava  was  taken  before  the  governor ; 
and  there  refusing  to  answer  the  interrogatories  put  to 
him,  and  asserting  the  groundless  pretension  of  answering 
only  as  a  commissioner,  and  by  a  protest  against  the  acts 
of  the  governor,  he  was,  by  his  order,  committed  to  pri 
son,  until  the  documents  should  be  delivered  to  the  alcaid. 
On  the  next  day,  a  search  warrant  for  the  papers  was  is 
sued  by  the  governor,  upon  which  they  were  actually  ob 
tained,  and  directed  to  be  delivered  to  the  alcaid  ;  where 
upon,  Colonel  Callava  was  immediately  released. 

"  In  all  these  proceedings,  you  will  perceive,  sir,  that 
not  one  act  of  rigor,  or  even  of  discourtesy  towards  Colonel 
Callava,  was  authorized  by  Governor  Jackson,  which  was 
not  indispensably  necessitated  for  the  maintenance  of  his 
authority,  and  the  discharge  of  his  official  duty,  by  the 
unjustifiable  and  obstinate  resistance  of  Colonel  Callava 
himself. 

"  On  a  review  of  the  whole  transactions,  I  am  instructed 
by  the  president  of  the  United  States  to  say,  that  he  con- 


272  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

siders  the  documents  in  question,  as  among  those  which, 
by  the  stipulation  of  the  treaty,  ought  to  have  been  deli 
vered  up,  with  the  province,  to  the  authorities  of  the  Uni 
ted  States ;  that  they  were,  on  the  22d  of  August,  when 
in  the  possession  of  Domingo  Sousa,  within  the  jurisdic 
tion  of  the  United  States,  and  subject  to  the  control  of  their 
governor,  acting  in  his  judicial  capacity,  and  liable  to  be 
compulsively  produced  by  his  order ;  that  the  removal  of 
them  from  the  possession  of  Sousa,  after  the  governor's 
order  to  him  to  deliver  them  had  been  served  upon  him, 
could  not  withdraw  them  from  the  jurisdiction  of  Gover 
nor  Jackson,  and  was  a  high  and  aggravated  outrage  upon 
his  lawful  authority ;  that,  the  imprisonment  of  Colonel 
Callava  was  a  necessary,  though  by  the  president  deeply 
regretted,  consequence,  of  his  obstinate  perseverance  in 
refusing  to  deliver  the  papers,  and  of  his  unfounded  claim 
of  diplomatic  immunities,  and  irregular  exercise  even  of 
the  authorities  of  a  governor  of  Florida,  after  the  autho 
rity  of  Spain  in  the  province  had  been  publicly  and  so 
lemnly  surrendered  to  the  United  States. 

"  That  the  documents  were  of  the  description  of  those 
which  the  treaty  had  stipulated  should  be  delivered  up 
with  the  province,  is  obvious,  from  the  consideration  of 
their  character.  They  related  to  the  property  of  lands  in 
the  province.  They  were  judicial  records,  directly  af 
fecting  the  rights  of  persons  remaining  in  the  province ; 
rights  which  could  not  be  secured  without  them ;  rights 
over  which  the  appellate  tribunal  of  the  governor  of  Cuba, 
to  which  Colonel  Callava  proposed  to  remove  the  papers, 
thenceforth  could  have  no  authority  or  control,  they  hav 
ing  become  definitively  subject  to  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
United  States.  The  only  reason  assigned  by  Colonel 
Callava  for  the  pretension  to  retain  them,  is,  that  they 
related  to  the  estate  of  a  deceased  Spanish  officer,  and 
had  thereby  been  of  the  resort  of  the  military  tribunal* 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  273 

But  it  was  for  the  rights  of  the  living,  and  not  for  the  pri 
vileges  of  the  dead,  that  the  documents  were  to  operate. 
The  tribunal  of  the  captain  general  of  Cuba  could  neither 
need  the  production  of  the  papers,  nor  exercise  any  au 
thority  over  the  subject-matter  to  which  they  related.  To 
have  transferred  to  the  island  of  Cuba  a  question  of  liti 
gated  property,  concerning  land  in  Florida,  between  per 
sons,  all  of  whom  were  living,  and  to  remain  in  Florida, 
would  have  been  worse  than  a  mockery  of  justice.  In 
deed  Mr.  Salmon,  in  his  note,  appears  to  have  been  aware 
of  the  weakness  of  this  allegation,  declines  the  discussion 
of  the  question  ;  and  in  justification  of  the  refusal  of  Co 
lonel  Callava  to  deliver  up  the  documents,  merely  rests  its 
defence  upon  the  plea,  that  the  papers  had  not  been  de 
manded  of  him  officially.  It  has  been  seen,  that  Colonel 
Callava  had  no  official  character  which  could  then  ex 
empt  him  from  the  compulsive  process  of  the  governor. 
But  Mr.  Salmon  alledges  that  the  Spanish  constitution,  as 
well  as  that  of  the  United  States,  separates  the  judicial 
from  the  executive  power  exercised  by  the  governor  or 
captain  general  of  a  province. 

"  Neither  the  constitution,  nor  the  laws  of  the  United 
States,  excepting  those  relating  to  the  revenue  and  its  col 
lection,  and  to  the  slave-trade,  had  at  that  time  been  ex 
tended  to  Florida. — And  as  little  had  the  Spanish  consti 
tution  been  introduced  there,  in  point  of  fact,  however  it 
might  have  been  proclaimed.  But  be  this  as  it  may,  the 
cause,  in  relation  to  which  the  documents  required  in  the 
case  of  Vidal  had  been  drawn  up,  and  were  needed,  was 
one  of  those  which,  under  the  Spanish  constitution  itself, 
remained  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  governor.  This 
is  declared  by  Colonel  Callava  himself,  in  the  third  ob 
servation  of  the  appendix  to  his  protest,  transmitted  with 
the  letter  of  Mr.  Salmon.  It  is  the  reason  assigned  by 
him  for  having  withheld  those  documents  from  the  al- 


274  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

caid.  And  one  of  them  was  a  judgment  rendered  by 
Colonel  Callava  himself,  after  the  time  when  the  procla 
mation  of  the  Spanish  constitution  in  the  province  is  al- 
ledged  to  have  been  made.  The  cause  therefore  was,  on 
every  hypothesis,  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  governor  ; 
the  papers  were  indispensable  for  the  administration  of 
justice  in  the  cause  ;  and  when  once  applied  for,  by  a  per 
son  entitled  to  the  benefit  of  them,  it  was  the  duty,  the 
inexorable  duty,  of  Governor  Jackson,  to  put  forth  all  the 
authority  vested  in  him,  necessary  to  obtain  them. 

"  Nor  less  imperative  was  his  obligation  to  punish,  with 
out  respect  of  persons,  that  contempt  of  his  jurisdiction, 
which  was  manifested  in  the  double  attempt  of  Colonel 
Callava  to  defy  his  power,  and  to  evade  the  operation  of 
its  process. 

"  With  regard  to  the  proclamation  of  General  Jackson, 
of  the  29th  of  September,  commanding  several  Spanish 
officers,  who,  in  violation  of  the  stipulation  of  the  treaty, 
had  remained  at  Pensacola,  after  the  expiration  of  the  six 
months  from  the  day  of  the  ratification  of  the  treaty,  to 
withdraw,  within  four  days,  from  the  Floridas,  which 
forms  the  subject  of  complaint  in  your  letter  of  the  18th 
of  November,  it  might  be  sufficient  to  say,  that  it  did  no 
more  than  enjoin  upon  those  officers  to  do  that  which  they 
ought  before,  and  without  any  injunction,  to  have  done. 
The  engagement  of  the  treaty  was,  that  they  should  all 
have  evacuated  the  province  before  the  22d  of  August. 

"  If  they  remained  there  after  that  time,  it  could  only 
be  as  private  individuals,  amenable  in  every  particular  to 
the  lawrs.  Even  this  was  merely  an  indulgence,  which 
it  was  within  the  competency  of  General  Jackson,  at  any 
time,  to  have  withdrawn.  From  the  extract  of  a  letter 
from  him,  of  w^hich  I  have  the  honor  of  inclosing  a  copy, 
it  will  be  seen,  that  he  was  far  from  being  disposed  to  with 
draw  it,  had  they  not,  by  their  abuse  of  it,  and  by  open 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  276 

outrages  upon  his  authority,  forfeited  all  claims  to  its  con 
tinuance. 

"  This  extract  furnishes  a  satisfactory  answer  to  your 
question,  why,  if  the  fulfillment  of  the  article  was  the  ob 
ject  of  the  proclamation,  it  was  confined  to  the  eight  offi 
cers,  by  name,  and  not  extended  to  all  other  Spanish  offi 
cers  in  the  Floridas.  It  was  because  the  deportment  of 
the  others  was  as  became  them,  decent,  respectful,  and 
friendly  towards  the  government,  under  the  protection  of 
which  they  were  permitted  to  abide.  In  the  newspaper 
publication,  which  gave  rise  to  the  proclamation  of  Ge 
neral  Jackson,  the  Spanish  officers  avowedly  acted,  not 
as  private  individuals,  but  as  a  distinct  body  of  men, 
speaking  of  Colonel  Callava  as  their  chief,  their  superior ; 
and  arrogating  to  themselves,  as  a  sort  of  merit,  the  con 
descension  of  knowing  what  was  due  to  a  government 
(meaning  the  American  government)  which  was  on  the 
most  friendly  footing  with  their  own.  This  is  language 
which  would  scarcely  be  proper  for  the  embassador  of  one 
nation,  upon  the  territory  of  another,  to  which  he  would 
owe  not  even  a  temporary  allegiance.  From  persons  si 
tuated  as  those  Spanish  officers  were,  it  was  language  of 
insubordination  and  contempt. 

"  In  alluding  to  the  fact,  that  officers  of  the  American 
squadron,  in  the  Mediterranean,  are  sometimes  received 
with  friendly  treatment  on  the  territories  of  Spain,  to  make 
a  case  parallel  with  the  present,  it  would  be  necessary  to 
show,  that  some  superior  officer  of  the  said  squadron 
should,  while  enjoying  the  hospitality  of  the  Spanish  na 
tion  upon  their  shores,  first  attempt  to  evade  and  to  resist, 
the  operation  of  process  from  the  constituted  judicial  tri 
bunals  of  the  country,  and  then  pretend,  as  an  American 
officer,  to  be  wholly  independent  of  them  ;  and  that  some 
of  his  subalterns  should  not  only  countenance  and  support 
him  in  these  attempts,  but  should  affect  to  consider  him, 


276  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

while  on  Spanish  ground,  as  their  only  superior  and  chief, 
and  by  unfounded  and  inflammatory  publications  in  the 
daily  journals,  to  arouse  the  people  of  Spain  to  revolt  and 
insurrection  against  the  judicial  tribunal  of  their  own 
country. 

"  If  the  bare  statement  of  such  a  case  would  be  suffi 
cient  to  raise  the  indignation  of  every  honorable  Spaniard, 
let  it  be  observed,  that  even  this  would  be  without  some 
of  the  aggravations  of  the  conduct  of  these  Spanish  offi 
cers  at  Pensacola.  For  such  outrage  would  be  far  less 
dangerous,  committed  against  old  established  authorities, 
which  might  rely  upon  the  support  of  the  whole  people 
surrounding  them,  than  in  the  presence  of  a  people, 
whose  allegiance  had  been  just  transferred  to  a  new  go 
vernment,  and  when  the  revolt  to  which  they  were  sti 
mulated  would  seem  little  more  than  obedience  to  the 
authorities  to  which  they  had  always  been  accustomed  to 
submit. 

"  The  very  power  which  the  Spanish  governor  and 
officers  had  exercised  before  the  surrender  of  the  pro 
vince,  ought  to  have  been  a  most  urgent  warning  to  them 
to  avoid  every  semblance  of  authority  in  themselves,  or 
of  resistance  to  that  of  the  United  States,  after  the  trans 
fer  of  the  province  had  been  completed. 

"  In  forbearing  particularly  to  reply  to  that  part  of 
your  note,  in  which  you  think  yourself  authorized  to 
pronounce  the  charge  of  General  Jackson  against  these 
Spanish  officers,  of  having  attempted  to  excite  discontent 
in  the  inhabitants,  false,  I  shall  barely  express  the  hope, 
that  the  term  was  admitted  into  your  communication  inad 
vertently.  The  conduct  of  the  officers,  at  the  time  of 
Colonel  Callava's  conflict  with  the  authority  of  the  go 
vernor,  as  well  as  in  their  insulting  newspaper  publica 
tion,  was  of  a  character  and  tendency  too  strongly  mark 
ed,  to  leave  a  doubt  of  the  truth  with  which  it  is  described 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  277 

in  General  Jackson's  proclamation,  and  in  passing  un 
noticed  this  and  other  mere  invectives  affainst  an  officer, 
whose  services  to  this  nation  have  entitled  him  to  their 
highest  regard,  and  whose  whole  career  has  been  sig 
nalized  by  the  purest  intentions  and  the  most  elevated  pur 
poses,  I  wish  to  be  understood  as  abstaining  from  obser 
vations,  which,  however  justified  by  the  occasion,  could 
but  add  to  the  unpleasantness  of  a  discussion  already  suf 
ficiently  painful. 

"  That  this  conduct  on  the  part  of  the  Spanish  officers 
was  highly  reprehensible,  cannot  reasonably  be  denied, 
and  had  General  Jackson  been  disposed  to  animadvert 
upon  it  with  severity,  his  course  would  undoubtedly  have 
been  that  which  you  have  pointed  out  as  appropriate  to 
the  offence.  They  would  have  been  cited  before  the  pro 
per  tribunal,  heard  upon  specific  charges,  allowed  time 
and  liberty  to  make  their  defence,  and  punished  by  com 
mitment  to  prison.  General  Jackson  preferred  a  milder — 
a  more  indulgent  measure ;  and  without  prosecuting  them 
as  criminals,  only  withdrew  from  them  the  privilege  of 
a  protracted  infraction  of  the  treaty,  by  requiring  them 
forthwith  to  depart  from  the  province.  To  justify  him  in 
this  requisition,  neither  arrest  nor  judicial  trial  was  ne 
cessary  or  proper.  The  facts  were  of  public  notoriety, 
and  could  not  be  denied.  The  proclamation  only  requir 
ed  of  them  the  execution  of  the  treaty,  by  the  removal 
of  their  persons.  Had  their  conduct  even  been  unexcep 
tionable,  this  measure  would  have  been  within  the  un 
doubted  authority  of  General  Jackson.  As  their  deport 
ment  had  been,  it  was  the  most  lenient  exercise  of  his 
power  practicable,  to  vindicate  the  insulted  honor  and  jus 
tice  of  his  country." 
24 


278  BIOGRAPHY  OF 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

General  Jackson  resigns  the  government  of  the  Floridas — 
Is  nominated  by  the  Tennessee  legislature  for  the  pre 
sidency — Is  elected  to  the  senate  of  the  United  States — 
Lafayette  visits  him  at  the  Hermitage — President  elect 
ed  by  the  house  of  representatives — Mr.  Adams  chosen 
— General  Jackson  again  nominated — Resigns  his  seat 
in  the  senate  in  consequence — His  address  to  the  Ten 
nessee  legislature  on  that  occasion — Visits  various 
towns  in  Tennessee — His  replies  to  addresses  made  to 
him  by  his  fellow-citizens — Receives  an  invitation  to 
attend  the  celebration  of  the  8th  January  at  New  Or 
leans — Description  of  that  celebration. 

GENERAL  JACKSON  had  for  a  long  series  of  years  been 
arduous  and  unremitting  in  his  endeavors  to  serve  his 
country,  and  his  success  in  every  attempt  must  have  af 
forded  him  the  richest  consolations,  as  must  also  the  de 
monstrations  he  every  where  met  with,  of  the  respect  and 
gratitude  of  his  countrymen.  He  wished  for  retirement, 
and  as  his  country  was  in  the  enjoyment  of  peace  and 
unrivaled  prosperity,  to  the  production  of  which  he  had 
so  largely  contributed,  he  could  with  honor  to  himself 
retire  to  private  life,  and  in  seclusion  enjoy  the  fruits  of 
his  privations  and  hardships.  This  wish  he  expressed 
in  a  letter  to  the  secretary  of  state.  He  accordingly  re 
signed  his  government  of  the  Floridas,  and  returned  to 
Nashville. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  279 

He  was  not,  however,  permitted  long  to  enjoy  the  re 
pose  he  so  much  needed.  In  May,  1822,  the  legislature 
of  Tennessee  nominated  him  a  candidate  for  the  presi 
dency  of  the  United  States.  He  was  elected  in  the  au 
tumn  of  the  same  year  to  the  United  States  senate.  A 
new  tariff  was  enacted  the  next  session,  which  received 
his  support. 

The  second  term  of  office  exercised  by  Mr.  Monroe  as 
president  of  the  United  States,  was  approaching  its  ter 
mination,  and  the  question  of  his  successor  was  at  this 
period  agitated  with  much  bitterness  of  party  spirit 
throughout  the  Union.  The  candidates  were  General 
Jackson  and  H.  Clay,  of  the  west,  Messrs.  Crawford  and 
Calhoun,  of  the  south,  and  J.  Q,.  Adams,  of  the  north. 
Concerning  the  merits  of  General  Jackson's  competitors 
for  the  presidency,  it  is  not  our  province  to  comment. 
But  we  can  say  of  General  Jackson,  that  he  was  decided 
ly  the  popular  candidate.  The  unyielding  integrity  of 
his  character — the  courage,  ability,  and  lofty  patriotism 
exhibited  in  a  life  of  devotedness  to  the  welfare  of  his 
country  in  seasons  of  her  greatest  peril — the  prosperous 
security  and  renown  which  the  energies  of  his  mind  and 
the  prowess  of  his  arm  had  achieved  for  her,  were  not 
without  a  grateful  response  from  a  large  majority  of  his 
fellow-citizens.  The  proof  of  this  was  found  in  the  re 
sult  of  the  presidential  canvass  in  1824. 

While  the  friends  of  the  several  candidates  were  press 
ing  the  claims  of  their  respective  favorites,  General  La 
fayette  made  his  memorable  visit  to  the  United  States. 
The  spontaneous  bursts  of  gratitude  with  which  he  was 
every  where  received,  are  fresh  in  the  recollection  of 
every  reader.  The  tour  which  he  made  of  the  United 
States  brought  him  at  length  to  Nashville,  Tennessee. 
Levasseur,  secretary  to  General  Lafayette,  during  his 
journey  through  the  United  States,  after  speaking  of  the 


380  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

cordial  reception  of  the  nation's  guest  by  General  Jack 
son  and  the  inhabitants  of  Nashville,  thus  happily  des 
cribes  the  visit  of  General  Lafayette  and  suite,  to  the  resi 
dence  of  General  Jackson's  upon  the  banks  of  the  Cum 
berland. 

"  At  one  o'clock,  we  embarked  with  a  numerous  com 
pany,  to  proceed  to  dine  with  General  Jackson,  whose 
residence  is  a  few  miles  up  the  river.  We  there  found 
numbers  of  ladies  and  farmers  from  the  neighborhood, 
whom  Mrs.  Jackson  had  invited  to  partake  of  the  enter 
tainment  she  had  prepared  for  General  Lafayette.  The 
first  thing  that  struck  me  on  arriving  at  the  general's, 
was  the  simplicity  of  his  house.  Still  somewhat  influ 
enced  by  my  European  habits,  I  asked  myself  if  this 
could  really  be  the  dwelling  of  the  most  popular  man  in 
the  United  States,  of  him  whom  the  country  proclaimed 
one  of  her  most  illustrious  defenders  ;  of  him,  finally,  who 
by  the  will  of  the  people  was  on  the  point  of  becoming 
her  chief  magistrate.  One  of  our  fellow-passengers,  a 
citizen  of  Nashville,  witnessing  my  astonishment,  asked 
me,  whether  in  France,  our  public  men,  that  is  to  say, 
the  servants  of  the  public,  lived  very  differently  from  other 
citizens  ?  *  Certainly,'  said  I ;  « thus,  for  example,  the 
majority  of  our  generals,  all  our  ministers,  and  even  the 
greater  part  of  our  subaltern  administrators,  would  think 
themselves  dishonored,  and  would  not  dare  to  receive  any 
one  at  their  houses,  if  they  only  possessed  such  a  resi 
dence  as  this  of  Jackson's  ;  and  the  modest  dwellings  of 
your  illustrious  chiefs  of  the  revolution,  Washington, 
John  Adams,  Jefferson,  &c.,  would  only  inspire  them 
with  contempt  and  disgust.  They  must  first  have  in  the 
city  an  immense  and  vast  edifice,  called  a  hotel,  in  which 
two  large  families  could  live  with  ease,  but  which  they 
fill  with  a  crowd  of  servants  strangely  and  ridiculously 
dressed,  and  whose  only  employment,  for  the  most  part, 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  281 

is  to  insult  those  honest  citizens  who  come  on  foot  to  visit 
their  master.  They  must  also  have  another  large  esta 
blishment  in  the  country,  which  they  call  a  chateau,  and 
in  which  they  accumulate  all  the  luxuries  of  furniture, 
decorations,  entertainments,  and  dress — in  fact,  every  thing 
that  can  make  them  forget  the  country.  Then  they  must 
have,  to  enable  them  to  go  from  one  to  the  other  of  these 
habitations,  a  great  number  of  carriages,  horses,  and  ser 
vants.'  '  Very  well,'  interrupted  the  Tennessean,  sha 
king  his  head  as  if  in  doubt,  *  but  who  provides  these 
public  officers  with  all  the  money  thus  swallowed  up  in 
luxury,  and  how  do  the  affairs  of  the  people  go  on?'  '  If 
you  ask  them,  they  will  tell  you  that  it  is  the  king  who 
pays  them,  although  I  can  assure  you  that  it  is  the  nation, 
which  is  borne  down  by  taxes  for  the  purpose  ;  as  to  busi 
ness,  it  is  both  well  and  badly  attended  to,  but  generally 
the  latter.'  4  And  why  do  you  submit  to  such  a  state  of 
things  ?'  *  Because  we  cannot  remedy  it.'  '  What !  you 
cannot  remedy  it  ?  A  nation  so  great,  so  enlightened  as 
the  French,  cannot  prevent  its  officers,  magistrates,  and 
servants,  from  enjoying,  at  their  expense,  a  scandalous 
and  immoral  luxuriousness,  and  at  the  same  time  not  at 
tending  to  their  duties  !  whilst  we,  who  have  just  assumed 
our  name  among  nations,  are  enjoying  the  immense  ad 
vantage  of  only  having  for  magistrates,  men  who  are 
plain,  honest,  laborious,  and  more  jealous  of  our  esteem 
than  solicitous  for  wealth.  Permit  me  to  believe  that 
what  you  have  told  is  only  pleasantry,  and  that  you  wish 
ed  to  amuse  yourself  for  a  moment  with  a  poor  Tennes 
sean  who  has  never  visited  Europe.  But  rest  assured, 
that  however  ignorant  we  may  be  of  what  passes  on  the 
other  side  of  the  water,  it  is  not  easy  to  make  us  credit 
things  which  militate  so  strongly  against  good  sense  and 
the  dignity  of  man.'  Do  what  I  could,  I  could  never 
make  this  good  citizen  of  Nashville  believe  that  I  was 
24* 


282  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

not  jesting,  and  was  obliged  to  leave  him  in  the  belief  that 
we  were  not  worse  governed  in  France  than  in  the  United 
States. 

"  General  Jackson  successively  showed  us  his  garden 
and  farm,  which  appeared  to  be  well  cultivated.  We 
every  where  remarked  the  greatest  order,  and  most  per 
fect  neatness ;  and  we  might  have  believed  ourselves  on 
the  property  of  one  of  the  richest  and  most  skillful  of  the 
German  farmers,  if,  at  every  step,  our  eyes  had  not  been 
afflicted  by  the  sad  spectacle  of  slavery.  Every  body  told 
us  that  General  Jackson's  slaves  were  treated  with  the 
greatest  humanity,  and  several  persons  assured  us,  that  it 
would  not  surprise  them,  if,  in  a  short  time,  their  master, 
who  already  had  so  many  claims  on  the  gratitude  of  his 
fellow-citizens,  should  attempt  to  augment  it  still  more, 
by  giving  an  example  of  gradual  emancipation  to  Tennes 
see,  which  would  be  the  more  easily  accomplished,  as 
there  are  in  this  state  but  79,000  slaves  in  a  population  of 
423,000,  and  from  the  public  mind  becoming  more  in 
clined  than  formerly  to  the  abolition  of  slavery. 

"  On  returning  to  the  house,  some  friends  of  General 
Jackson,  who  probably  had  not  seen  him  for  some  time, 
begged  him  to  show  them  the  arms  presented  to  him  in 
honor  of  his  achievements  during  the  last  war ;  he  ac 
ceded  to  their  request  with  great  politeness,  and  placed  on 
a  table,  a  sword,  a  sabre,  and  a  pair  of  pistols.  The 
sword  was  presented  to  him  by  congress ;  the  sabre,  I 
believe,  by  the  army  which  fought  under  his  command  at 
New  Orleans.  These  two  weapons,  of  American  manu 
facture,  were  remarkable  for  their  finish,  and  still  more 
so  for  the  honorable  inscriptions,  with  which  they  were 
covered.  But  it  was  to  the  pistols,  that  General  Jackson 
wished  more  particularly  to  draw  our  attention  ;  he  hand 
ed  them  to  General  Lafayette,  and  asked  him  if  he  re 
cognized  them.  The  latter,  after  examining  them  atten- 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 

lively  for  a  few  minutes,  replied,  that  he  fully  recollected 
them,  to  be  a  pair  he  had  presented  in  1778  to  his  pater 
nal  friend  Washington,  and  that  he  experienced  a  real 
satisfaction  in  finding  them  in  the  hands  of  one  so  worthy 
of  possessing  them.  At  these  words  the  face  of  old 
Hickory  was  covered  with  a  modest  blush,  and  his  eye 
sparkled  as  in  a  day  of  victory.  *  Yes  !  I  believe  myself 
worthy  of  them,'  exclaimed  he,  in  pressing  the  pistols 
and  Lafayette's  hands  to  his  breast ;  4  if  not  from  what  I 
have  done,  at  least  for  what  I  wished  to  do  for  my  coun 
try.'  All  the  bystanders  applauded  this  noble  confidence 
of  the  patriot  hero,  and  were  convinced  that  the  weapons 
of  Washington  could  not  be  in  better  hands  than  those  of 
Jackson." 

Mr.  Calhoun  withdrew  from  the  canvass  of  1824,  and 
the  contest  was  maintained  between  the  other  candidates, 
the  result  of  which  was,  no  choice  by  the  people.  Gene 
ral  Jackson  received  99  electoral  votes  ;  J.  Q,.  Adams  84 ; 
W.  H.  Crawford  41  ;  and  Henry  Clay  37.  Consequent 
ly  the  choice,  by  a  constitutional  provision,  devolved  on 
the  house  of  representatives.  To  this  method  of  election 
there  are  many  weighty  objections.  It  deprives  the  peo 
ple  of  their  legitimate  right  of  suffrage,  and  places  it  in 
the  hands  of  their  national  representatives ;  and  as  the 
vote  is  given  by  states,  the  smallest  state  in  point  of  po 
pulation  has  a  weight  equal  to  the  largest,  a  circumstance 
which  destroys  the  equilibrium  of  suffrage.  It  also  paves 
the  way  to  bribery  and  corruption,  for  the  practical  effect 
of  the  system  will  often  place  it  in  the  power  of  one  or 
two  individuals  to  decide  the  political  destiny  of  the  com 
petitors  for  the  presidential  chair,  in  a  manner  that  will 
result  in  the  production  of  their  own  emolument  or  ag 
grandizement. 

That  this  influence  raised  Mr.  Adams  to  the  presidency 
in  1835,  has  been  asserted  by  a  large  majority  of  the 


284  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

American  people.  Whether  such  was  the  fact,  it  is  not 
our  purpose  to  prove ;  we  shall  only  state  the  facts  as 
they  existed,  so  far  as  they  are  connected  with  the  history 
of  General  Jackson,  and  our  readers,  after  satisfying  them 
selves  of  their  truth,  will  be  enabled  to  make  their  own 
inferences.  The  method  of  election,  where  no  choice  is 
made  by  the  people,  is  pointed  out  by  the  constitution  of 
the  United  States.  The  members  of  the  house  of  repre 
sentatives  are  to  proceed  to  a  choice,  each  state  being  al 
lowed  one  vote.  A  majority  of  the  members  from  any 
one  state,  decide  what  vote  that  state  shall  give.  Three 
candidates  only,  those  who  receive  the  greatest  number 
of  electoral  votes,  can  come  before  the  house.  On  the 
election  of  which  we  speak,  Messrs.  Jackson,  Adams, 
and  Crawford,  were  the  individuals  having  the  greatest 
number  of  electoral  votes,  and  therefore,  came  into  the 
house.  It  was  now  that  the  anti-republican  results  of  the 
constitutional  method  of  electing  a  president  by  the  re 
presentatives  of  the  nation,  appeared  in  their  most  forbid 
ding  form.  Mr.  Clay  had  received  the  votes  of  three 
states  ;  it  therefore  became  obvious  that  his  vote  as  a  re 
presentative  from  Kentucky,  would  influence  a  majority 
of  the  members  of  the  house  from  his  own  state,  and  also 
a  majority  of  those  from  the  states  of  Ohio  and  Missouri, 
which  states  gave  him  their  votes  when  the  election  was 
before  the  people.  Next  to  Mr.  Clay  at  this  period,  Ge 
neral  Jackson  was  the  choice  of  Kentucky.  Mr.  Clay 
and  his  colleagues  were  advised  of  this,  not  only  from  their 
own  knowledge,  but  from  the  instructions  of  the  Kentucky 
legislature ;  yet  the  vote  of  that  state,  contrary  to  the 
wishes  of  a  majority  of  its  inhabitants,  was  given  by  Mr. 
Clay  to  Mr.  Adams,  and  he  was  elected,  and  immediate 
ly  appointed  Mr.  Clay  to  the  office  of  secretary  of  state. 

This  result  of  the  election,  brought  against  Messrs. 
Adams  and  Clay  direct  charges  of  bargain  and  corrup- 


ANDREW   JACKSON.  285 

/ 

tion.  An  investigation  of  the  subject  took  place  in  the 
Kentucky  legislature,  where  it  was  proved  by  a  number 
of  highly  respectable  individuals,  that,  after  the  return  of 
General  Metcalfe  and  Mr.  Trimble,  of  the  Kentucky  de 
legation,  they  avowed  their  reason  for  voting  for  Mr. 
Adams  was,  that  they  had  ascertained  that  he  would 
make  Mr.  Clay  secretary  of  state,  and  General  Jackson 
would  not.  Our  readers  will  ascertain  the  correctness 
of  this,  by  a  reference  to  the  report  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  Kentucky  legislature  in  that  investigation. 

In  October,  1825,  General  Jackson  was  nominated  by 
the  Tennessee  legislature  a  candidate  for  the  presidency. 
The  proceedings  of  the  legislature,  and  General  Jack 
son's  resignation  of  his  seat  in  the  United  States  senate 
in  consequence,  are  as  follows : 

In  the  senate  Mr.  Kennedy  submitted  "  that  General 
Andrew  Jackson,  of  this  state,  be  recommended  to  the 
freemen  of  the  United  States,  as  a  fellow-citizen,  who,  by 
his  numerous  and  faithful  public  services,  in  the  cabinet 
and  in  the  field,  his  energy  and  decision,  his  political 
qualifications,  and  strict  adherence  to  the  principles  of  re 
publicanism,  merits  to  be  elected  to  the  office  of  chief  ma 
gistrate  of  this  Union,  at  the  next  presidential  election." 

This  resolution  was  agreed  to  in  both  houses,  with 
only  one  or  two  dissenting  voices. 

"  On  Friday,  October  7th,  the  house  of  representatives 
received  from  the  senate  a  message  informing  this  house 
that  they  had  adopted  the  following  resolutions,  in  which 
they  asked  a  concurrence  : 

*'  Resolved,  as  an  evidence  of  the  respect  and  attach 
ment  entertained  by  this  legislature,  in  common  with  our 
fellow-citizens,  towards  General  Andrew  Jackson  for  his 
high  personal  qualifications,  and  numerous  and  impor 
tant  services  rendered  to  his  country,  that  the  two  branches 
of  this  general  assembly  will  receive  him  on  the  day 


286  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

next  after  his  arrival  at  the  seat  of  government,  at  12 
o'clock,  in  the  representative  hall. 

"  Resolved,  that  one  or  both  of  the  speakers,  on  behalf 
of  the  two  houses,  shall  deliver,  at  such  time,  to  General 
Jackson,  an  address,  expressive  of  the  high  personal  sa 
tisfaction  they  feel  in  relation  to  the  course  he  pursued, 
during  the  pendency  of  the  late  presidential  election. 

'*  Resolved,  that  a  joint  select  committee  be  appointed 
to  wait  upon  General  Jackson,  on  his  arrival  at  the  seat 
of  government,  to  inform  him  of  the  foregoing  resolutions, 
and  conduct  him  within  the  bar  of  the  house  of  represen 
tatives,  and  that  Mr.  Hall  and  Mr.  Kennedy  are  appoint 
ed  said  committee  on  the  part  of  the  senate. 

"  The  house  of  representatives  concurred  in  the  fore 
going  resolutions,  and  appointed  Messrs.  Gibbs,  Desha, 
Turney,  and  Fitzgerald,  to  be  of  the  committee  on  their 
part. 

"  The  general  arrived  at  Murfreesborough  on  the  13th 
ultimo,  and  was  immediately  waited  upon  by  the  commit 
tee  of  the  legislature.  On  the  14th,  at  12  o'clock,  he  was 
conducted  to  the  hall  and  addressed  by  the  speakers  of  the 
two  houses,  to  which  he  made  an  appropriate  reply,  and 
then  handed  in  a  resignation  of  his  seat  in  the  senate  of 
the  United  States." 

The  following  is  General  Jackson's  resignation  to  the 
legislature  of  Tennessee. 

"  Two  years  ago,  by  the  unsolicited  suffrage  of  the  le 
gislature  of  Tennessee,  I  was  appointed  to  the  situation  of 
senator  in  congress.  Pursuing  the  principle  by  which  I 
had  ever  been  governed,  neither  to  seek  after  or  decline 
office,  the  appointment  conferred  was  accepted.  Aware 
of  the  practice  which  had  long  prevailed,  of  selecting  from 
each  extreme  of  the  state,  a  person  for  the  high  and  re 
sponsible  situation  of  senator,  I  felt  regret  at  being  brought 
forward  to  disturb  a  system  which  had  so  long  obtained  ; 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  287 

yet,  inasmuch  as  the  legislature,  without  any  knowledge 
or  understanding  on  my  part,  had  called  me  to  the  situa 
tion,  it  was  impossible  to  withhold  my  consent ;  and  ac 
cordingly  the  appointment  was,  though  reluctantly,  ac 
cepted  ;  not,  however,  without  its  being  previously  pro 
fessed  by  my  friends,  that  a  longer  term  of  service  than 
one  congress  would  neither  be  required  nor  expected. 
That  service  has  been  performed.  I  was  still  though, 
pondering  and  in  doubt,  whether  exceptions  to  my  re 
signing  might  not  be  taken ;  and  if  it  might  not  be  pro 
per  for  me  to  execute  the  full  term  which  you  had  assign 
ed  me,  when  my  mind  was  brought  to  a  conclusion  by 
some  late  proceedings  of  your  own,  and  a  determination 
formed  to  surrender  immediately  back  into  your  hands 
the  responsible  trust  you  had  heretofore  confided. 

"  One  inducement  to  my  determination  is,  that  tra vel- 
ing  to  the  city  of  Washington,  twice  a  year,  imposes  no 
inconsiderable  fatigue ;  and,  although  this  is  a  minor 
consideration,  and  one  which  would  have  been  met  with 
cheerfulness,  if  business,  involving  the  interest  of  our 
happy  country,  had  required  the  exertion  ;  yet  I  am  aware 
of  nothing  of  great  national  importance  which  is  likely  to 
come  before  congress,  excepting  a  subject  that  you  have 
lately  had  before  your  body — the  amending  the  constitu 
tion  of  the  United  States  in  relation  to  the  choice  of  a 
chief  magistrate.  Upon  this  matter  I  greatly  doubted 
whether  it  might  not  be  my  duty  again  to  appear  in  the 
senate,  and  extend  my  feeble  aid  towards  producing  an 
alteration  in  which  great  interests  with  the  people  of  the 
United  States  exist,  and  on  which  the  security  of  our  re 
publican  system  may  depend.  But  having  been  advised 
of  a  resolution  of  your  honorable  body,  presenting  again 
my  name  to  the  American  people,  for  the  office  of  chief 
magistrate  of  this  Union,  I  could  no  longer  hesitate  on 
the  course  I  should  pursue ;  doubt  yielded  to  certainty, 


288  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

and  I  determined,  forthwith,  to  ask  your  indulgence  to 
be  excused  from  any  further  service  in  the  councils  of  the 
nation. 

"  Thus  situated, — my  name  presented  to  the  freemen 
of  the  United  States  for  the  first  office  known  to  the  con 
stitution, — I  could  not,  with  any  thing  of  approbation  on 
my  part,  consent  either  to  urge  or  encourage  an  altera 
tion,  which  might  wear  the  appearance  of  being  induced 
by  selfish  considerations  ;  by  a  desire  to  advance  my  own 
views.  I  feel  a  thorough  and  safe  conviction,  that  impu 
tation  would  be  ill  founded,  and  that  nothing  could  prompt 
me  to  any  active  course  on  that  subject,  which  my  judg 
ment  did  not  approve  ;  yet,  as  from  late  events,  it  might 
be  inferred,  that  the  prospects  of  your  recommendation 
could  be  rendered  probable  only  by  the  people  having  the 
choice  given  to  them  direct,  abundant  room  would  be  af 
forded  to  ascribe  any  exertions  of  mine  to  causes  apper 
taining  exclusively  to  myself.  Imputations,  thus  made, 
wrould  be  extremely  irksome  to  any  person  of  virtuous 
and  independent  feeling:  they  would  certainly  prove  so 
to  me  ;  and  hence  the  determination  to  retire  from  a  situa 
tion  where  strong  suspicions  might,  at  least,  attach,  and 
with  great  seeming  propriety.  I  hasten,  therefore,  to 
tender  this,  my  resignation,  into  the  hands  of  those  who 
conferred  it,  that,  in  the  exercise  of  their  constitutional 
rights,  they  may  confide  it  to  some  one  deserving  their 
confidence  and  approbation. 

"  Being  about  to  retire  again  to  private  life,  it  is  pro 
bably  the  last  time  I  shall  have  an  opportunity  of  address 
ing  you.  Permit  me,  then,  to  suggest  some  remarks 
upon  the  amendment  which  you  have  proposed  to  the 
constitution  of  the  United  States.  Our  political  fabric 
being  regulated  by  checks  and  balances,  where  experi 
ence  assures  us  that  those  which  have  been  resorted  to 
are  inefficient ;  or  that,  however  well  their  boundaries 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  289 

have  been  defined  on  the  parchment  of  the  constitution* 
some  new  barrier  to  the  encroachments  of  power  or  cor- 
ruption,  in  any  of  the  departments  of  government,  is  ne* 
cessary ;  a  corrective  should  be  applied ;  and,  under 
such  circumstances,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  people  to  see  that 
one  is  provided.  There  is  no  truth  more  sacred  in  poli 
tics,  and  none  more  conclusively  stamped  upon  all  the 
state  constitutions,  as  well  as  the  federal  constitution,  than 
that  which  requires  the  three  great  departments  of  power, 
the  legislative,  judicial,  and  executive,  to  be  kept  separate 
and  apart.  But  simple  and  manifest  as  this  truth  is,  the 
difficulty  of  arriving  at,  in  practice  with  constitutional 
restraints,  still  remains,  and  presents  a  question,  whether 
the  wisdom  and  virtue  of  the  present  generation,  with  a 
view  to  amendment  in  this  important  matter,  may  not  be 
usefully  employed.  Gratitude  to  the  founders  of  our 
happy  government,  cannot  be  lessened  by  honest  efforts, 
on  our  part,  to  improve,  or  rather  to  fortify,  the  blessings 
which  have  been  transmitted  to  us,  with  such  additional 
guards  as  experience  has  proved  to  be  necessary.  Upon 
this  principle,  I  venture  fully  to  accord  with  you,  in  the 
contemplated  change  proposed  to  the  constitution ;  and, 
indeed,  would  go  further.  With  a  view  to  sustain,  more 
effectually  in  practice,  the  axiom  which  divides  the  three 
great  classes  of  power  into  independent,  constitutional 
checks,  I  would  impose  a  provision,  rendering  any  mem^ 
ber  of  congress  ineligible  to  office,  under  the  general 
government,  during  the  term  for  which  he  was  elected, 
and  for  two  years  thereafter,  except  in  cases  of  judicial 
office ;  and  these  I  would  except  for  the  reason,  that  va 
cancies,  in  this  department,  are  not  frequent  occurrences, 
and  because  no  barrier  should  be  interposed  in  selecting, 
to  the  bench,  men  of  the  first  talents  and  integrity.  Their 
trusts  and  duties  being  of  the  most  responsible  kind,  the 
widest  possible  range  should  be  permitted,  that  judicioxre 
25 


290  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

and  safe  selections  might  be  made.  The  politician  may 
err,  yet  his  error  may  be  presently  retrieved,  and  no  con 
siderable  injury  result ;  but  with  judges,  particularly  in 
the  last  resort,  error  is  fatal,  because  without  a  remedy. 

"  The  effect  of  such  a  constitutional  provision  is  ob 
vious.  By  it  congress,  in  a  considerable  degree,  would 
be  free  from  that  connexion  with  the  executive  department 
which,  at  present,  gives  strong  ground  of  apprehension 
and  jealousy  on  the  part  of  the  people.  Members,  instead 
of  being  liable  to  be  withdrawn  from  legislating  on  the 
great,  interests  of  the  nation,  through  prospects  of  execu 
tive  patronage,  wou\d  be  more  liberally  confided  in  by 
their  constituents  ;  while  their  vigilance  would  be  less 
interrupted  by  party  feelings  and  party  excitements.  Cal 
culations,  from  intrigue  or  management,  would  fail ;  nor 
would  their  deliberations  or  their  investigation  of  subjects 
consume  so  much  time.  The  morals  of  the  country 
would  be  improved,  and  virtue,  uniting  with  the  labors  of 
the  representatives,  and  with  the  official  ministers  of  the 
law,  would  tend  to  perpetuate  the  honor  and  glory  of  the 
government. 

"  But  if  this  change  in  the  constitution  should  not  be 
obtained,  and  important  appointments  continue  to  devolve 
on  the  representatives  in  congress,  it  requires  no  depth  of 
thought  to  be  convinced,  that  corruption  will  become  the 
order  of  the  day ;  and  that,  under  the  garb  of  conscien 
tious  sacrifices  to  establish  precedents  for  the  public  good, 
evils  of  serious  importance  to  the  freedom  and  prosperity 
of  the  republic  may  arise.  It  is  through  this  channel 
that  the  people  may  expect  to  be  attacked  in  their  consti 
tutional  sovereignty,  and  where  tyranny  may  well  be  ap 
prehended  to  spring  up,  in  some  favorable  emergency. 
Against  such  inroads  every  guard  ought  to  be  interposed, 
and  none  better  occurs,  than  that  of  closing  the  suspected 
avenue  with  some  necessary  constitutional  restriction. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  291 

We  know  human  nature  to  be  prone  to  evil:  we  are 
early  taught  to  pray,  that  we  may  not  be  led  into  tempta 
tion  ;  and  hence  the  opinion,  that,  by  constitutional  pro 
vision,  all  avenues  to  temptation,  on  the  part  of  our  politi 
cal  servants,  should  be  closed. 

"  My  name  having  been  before  the  nation  for  the  office 
of  chief  magistrate  during  the  time  I  served  as  your  se 
nator,  placed  me  in  a  situation  truly  delicate  ;  but  delicate 
as  it  was,  my  friends  do  not,  and  my  enemies  cannot, 
charge  me  with  descending  from  the  independent  ground 
then  occupied,  with  degrading  the  trust  reposed  on  me, 
by  intriguing  for  the  presidential  chair.  As,  by  a  reso 
lution  of  your  body,  you  have  thought  proper  again  to 
present  my  name  to  the  American  people,  I  must  entreat 
to  be  excused  from  any  further  service  in  the  senate ;  and 
to  suggest,  in  conclusion,  that  it  is  due  to  myself  to  prac 
tice  upon  the  maxims  recommended  to  others  ;  and  hence, 
feel  constrained  to  retire  from  a  situation  where  tempta 
tions  may  exist,  and  suspicions  arise,  of  the  exercise  of  an 
influence  tending  to  my  own  aggrandisement* 

"Accept,  &c.  &c.  ANDREW  JACKSON." 

After  the  resignation  of  his  seat  in  the  United  States 
senate,  General  Jackson  retired  again  to  the  Hermitage, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Cumberland.  Business,  however, 
called  him  occasionally  abroad.  On  one  occasion,  the 
inhabitants  of  Jackson,  Tennessee,  addressed  him,  to 
which  address  he  made  the  following  characteristic  reply : 

"  If,  in  my  march  through  life,  it  has  been  my  good 
fortune  to  be  an  actor  in  scenes  which  eventuated  benefi 
cially,  my  greatest  satisfaction  is  in  knowing  that,  at  this 
day,  they  are  considered  as  they  wrere  intended,  for  the 
benefit  and  advancement  of  our  common  country.  The 
last  spot  on  the  globe  where  liberty  has  found  a  resting 
place,  will  not,  I  hope,  want  defenders,  and  sincere  ones, 
whenever  an  assault  may  come,  The  world  cannot  re- 


292  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

main  at  peace.  Human  nature  is  restless — and  man,  as 
he  ever  has  been,  is  ambitious.  Because  our  govern 
ment  is  formed  upon  new  principles,  we  must  not  trust 
alone  to  that ;  but  mark,  with  care  and  caution,  the  secret 
and  silent  inroads,  which  intrigue,  ambition,  and  cunning, 
from  time  to  time,  may  originate.  In  selecting,  at  any 
time,  any  agent  to  discharge  those  important  functions, 
which,  under  our  form  of  government,  must  necessarily 
be  confided  to  him  who  represents  us,  let  mind  be  one 
great  consideration ;  but,  above  all,  let  it  be  ascertained 
that  virtue  and  purity  have,  with  him,  taken  up  their 
abode,  dwelling  with  him,  and  he  with  them.  By  this 
means,  and  only  this,  can  our  government  go  down  un 
impaired  to  posterity.  Mere  form  and  ceremony  in  the 
guidance  of  our  affairs,  can  avail  but  little.  We  must  be 
careful  and  vigilant  to  adhere  to  those  great  principles, 
which  characterize  and  mark  the  government  we  possess." 

In  May,  1826,  General  Jackson  was  nominated  for  the 
presidency,  by  a  meeting  of  citizens  in  Philadelphia  ; 
and  it  now  became  evident  that  he  would  be  the  only 
competitor  with  Mr.  Adams  for  that  station.  His  popu 
larity  increased  rapidly,  and  many  observers  of  the  signs 
of  the  times  were  sanguine  of  his  success.  At  an  anniver 
sary  of  our  independence  at  Fayetteville,  Tennessee,  in 
July  following,  he  was  present ;  and  in  reply  to  an  ad 
dress  made  to  him,  said  : 

"  Your  cordial  welcome  is  grateful  to  my  feelings.  It 
recalls  to  my  recollection  the  urbanity  and  hospitality 
which  were  extended  to  me  and  my  troops  by  the  citizens 
of  this  town  and  country,  1813,  while  encamped  in  its 
vicinity,  on  their  march  to  protect  our  southern  frontier 
from  the  ruthless  savage.  Sir,  the  orderly  conduct  of  the 
brave  men  I  had  the  happiness  then  to  command,  was 
honorable  to  them,  to  me,  and  to  their  country.  Those 
high-minded  men,  whom  patriotism  alone  had  led  to  the 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  293 

tented  field,  to  defend  their  country  and  their  country's 
rights,  could  not  trespass  on,  or  infringe  the  rights  and 
privileges  of  their  fellow-citizens  of  Fayetteville  and  of 
Lincoln  county.  These  were  the  wealth  and  sinew  of 
your  country — they  were  the  citizen-soldiers,  who  appre 
ciated,  ahove  all  earthly  blessings,  their  liberties  achieved 
by  their  forefathers,  and  had  sworn  to  hand  them  down, 
unimpaired,  to  their  children,  or  die  in  the  attempt.  With 
such  an  army  your  rights  could  not  be  infringed,  nor  your 
property  molested.  In  the  ranks  of  such  men,  order, 
discipline,  and  strict  subordination,  were  easily  introduced 
and  maintained.  It  was  the  prowess  of  those  citizen-sol 
diers  that  enabled  me  so  promptly  and  effectually  to  ter 
minate  a  savage  war — to  meet  and  vanquish  their  more 
savage  allies,  the  British,  at  New  Orleans,  which  gave 
security  to  your  borders,  and  peace  to  the  nation.  I,  sir, 
was  only  a  humble  instrument  in  the  hands  of  a  wise 
and  superintending  Providence,  for  the  accomplishment 
of  those  important  and  beneficial  objects. 

"  My  humble  efforts  in  the  service  of  my  country, 
whether  in  the  field  or  cabinet,  I  am  fearful,  are  too  high 
ly  appreciated  by  you.  I  can  with  candor,  however,  de 
clare,  that  in  every  situation,  to  which  I  have  been  called 
by  my  fellow-citizens,  my  best  judgment  has  been  exer 
cised,  and  unceasing  exertions  been  employed,  to  promote 
the  best  interests  of  my  country.  How  far  I  have  suc 
ceeded,  is  evidenced  by  your  approbation. 

"  You,  sir,  have  been  pleased  to  pass  in  review  my 
conduct  in  the  late  presidential  contest.  I  trust  you  will 
believe  me  candid,  when  I  assure  you,  that  I  have  too 
long  practiced  the  pure  principles  of  republicanism  to 
abandon  them  at  this  late  period  of  my  life.  I  have  al 
ways  been  taught  to  believe  that  ours  is  a  government 
based  upon  the  will  of  the  people,  and  established  for  their 
prosperity  and  happiness  exclusively.  In  the  adoption 
25* 


294  BiocKApftv  or 


of  our  constitution,  the  people  secured  to  themselves  thtf 
right  of  choosing  their  own  agents  to  administer  the  go 
vernment  agreeably  to  their  own  will,  as  expressed  by  the 
voice  of  a  majority.  Surely,  then,  in  the  exercise  of  these 
important  rights,  they  ought  to  be  left  to  the  dictates  of 
their  own  unbiassed  judgments.  Acting,  sir,  in  accord 
ance  to  these  fundamental  principles  of  our  government, 
and  having  laid  it  down  as  a  rule  from  which  I  have 
never  departed,  '  neither  to  seek,  nor  decline  office,  when 
freely  offered  by  the  people,'  I  could  not  interfere,  in  any 
manner  whatever,  in  that  contest,  while  either  before  the 
people,  or  the  people's  representatives.  Your  approbation 
of  my  course  is,  therefore,  truly  gratifying,  and  particu 
larly  so,  as  my  conduct  on  that  occasion  was  dictated  by 
my  best  judgment. 

"  For  the  kind  solicitude  you  have  expressed  for  my 
promotion  in  the  estimation  of  my  fellow-citizens,  I  tender 
you  my  sincere  thanks." 

On  another  public  occasion,  in  reply  to  the  address  of 
one  of  his  fellow-statesmen  of  Giles  County,  Tennessee, 
who  was  delegated  for  that  purpose,  he  said  : 

"  Sir  —  I  am  at  a  loss  for  words  to  express  the  feelings 
which  have  been  excited  by  the  remarks  you  have  just 
addressed  to  me.  The  return  of  this  joyous  day  to  our 
country,  and  the  privilege  of  uniting  in  its  celebration 
with  so  many  of  my  old  associates  in  arms,  and  this 
large  and  respectable  assemblage  of  my  fellow-citizens, 
by  whom  I  am  so  much  honored  ;  all  concur  to  heighten 
those  emotions  of  gratitude  and  joy  with  which  this  me 
morable  era  never  fails  to  fire  the  bosom  of  every  friend 
and  lover  of  his  country. 

"  In  the  retrospect,  sir,  which  you  have  taken  of  our 
revolutionary  war,  allow  me  to  thank  you  for  the  natter 
ing  notice  of  my  youthful  efforts,  although  I  cannot  but 
be  sensible  that  your  kindness  has  given  them  too  much 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  295 

importance.  The  humble  part  which  I  acted  in  that 
eventful  struggle,  served  to  impress  upon  my  mind  the 
great  principles  which  were  secured  by  it — and  to  the 
support  of  which,  if  my  subsequent  labors  in  the  cause  of 
my  country  have  at  all  contributed,  the  pains  and 
privations  endured  are  more  than  compensated.  The 
spirit,  sir,  which  blazed  through  the  deeds  of  these  revo 
lutionary  fathers,  was  the  inspiration  of  Deity  to  a  just 
cause,  and  needed  not  the  unforgiving  and  ruthless  bar 
barity  of  the  foe  to  make  it  unconquerable,  even  on  the 
field  of  repeated  defeats  and  disaster  :  no,  sir,  cherished 
by  the  Author  of  all  good,  supporting  and  supported  by 
the  love  of  liberty  and  virtue,  it  achieved  more  than  could 
have  been,  more  than  ever  was  done,  by  the  unaided 
powers  of  man — the  establishment  of  a  free  and  happy 
government,  dependent  alone  upon  the  will  of  the  people. 
Let  it  then  be  our  solemn  duty  to  perpetuate  this  govern 
ment  by  recurring  often  to  the  first  sacrifices  with  which 
it  was  obtained,  and  to  the  lessons  of  wisdom  with  which 
its  sages  have  stamped  its  history. 

"  The  second  war  of  our  independence  grew  out  of  a 
system  of  outrage  and  insult  renewed  by  the  same  enemy, 
and,  no  doubt,  with  the  hope  of  annihilating  the  fair  fa 
bric  which  the  first  had  erected :  but  how  vain  were  his 
hopes  !  Our  sons  proved  worthy  of  their  fathers,  many 
of  whom  witnessed  the  struggle,  and  in  the  accomplish 
ment  of  their  prayers,  saw  their  independence  gloriously 
confirmed  and  re-established,  and  hailed  us  worthy  the 
sacred  heritage  commemorated  by  this  day.  To  the  brave 
officers  and  soldiers,  sir,  a  part  of  whom  are  now  before 
me,  who  aided  in  this  struggle,  the  deserved  gratitude  of 
our  country  has  been  freely  offered ;  and  with  them,  as 
with  me,  I  know  that  no  higher  reward  could  be  received 
or  desired. 

"  I  tender  to  you,  sir,  my  most  sincere  thanks  for  the 


296  BIOGRAPHY  or 

favorable  manner  with  which  you  have  been  pleased  to 
speak  of  my  services  in  the  various  civil  stations  to  which 
I  have  been  called  by  my  country,  and  particularly  by 
this  state.  In  these,  as  in  all  situations  of  my  public  life, 
I  am  much  indebted  to  the  liberality  and  indulgence  of 
my  fellow-citizens ;  and  I  beg  leave  once  more  to  assure 
them  of  the  consolation  which  their  cheering  approbation 
has  always  afforded  me." 

These  spontaneous  responses  of  General  Jackson  to  the 
congratulatory  addresses  of  his  fellow-citizens,  exhibit,  in 
the  most  interesting  point  of  view,  the  purity  and  disin 
terestedness  of  the  motives  which  had  been  the  governing 
principles  of  the  acts  of  his  eventful  life  ;  they  were  the 
generous  outpourings  of  his  mind  delightfully  agitated  by 
the  recollections  of  the  perils  and  dangers,  which  his 
courage  and  energy  had  averted  from  the  land  of  his 
birth,  in  a  manner  so  signally  glorious  to  himself  and  be 
neficial  to  his  country! 

The  discussion  of  the  question  of  succession  to  the  pre 
sidency  increased  in  bitterness,  as  it  approached  the  crisis 
for  decision  ;  but  General  Jackson,  with  his  characteris 
tic  delicacy  and  sense  of  propriety,  kept  aloof  from  every 
act  that  might  possibly  be  construed  into  an  aim  towards 
his  own  aggrandizement.  Towards  the  close  of  the 
summer  of  1826,  he  received  a  letter  from  a  distinguished 
gentleman  in  Kentucky,  requesting  him  to  visit  that  state 
for  the  purpose  of  counteracting  the  intrigue  and  manage 
ment  of  certain  prominent  individuals  against  him.  The 
following  is  his  reply,  which  does  him  honor  : 

"  Hermitage,  July  31,  1826. 

41  My  dear  sir — Your  favor  of  the  21st  instant  is  re 
ceived,  reassuring  me  of  the  wish  of  many  of  my  friends 
in  Kentucky  that  I  should  visit  the  Harrodsburg  Springs. 
I  had  spoken  early  in  the  spring  of  this  visit,  because 
those  waters  had  been  recommended  as  necessary  to  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  297 

restoration  of  Mrs.  Jackson's  health,  and  there  was  addi 
tional  gratification  derived  from  the  hope  that  I  would 
see  many  of  my  old  friends  in  Kentucky,  whose  company 
at  all  times  would  be  pleasing  to  me.  But  inasmuch  as 
Mrs.  Jackson  is  lately  so  far  improved  as  not  to  render 
this  trip  necessary,  it  seems  to  me  very  questionable 
whether,  without  this  necessity,  I  ought  to  yield  to  the 
other  considerations,  at  this  juncture.  I  know  that  so 
far  as  Kentucky  is  concerned,  the  unjust  imputations 
which  it  is  my  wish  to  avoid,  would  never  be  raised ;  or 
rather,  that  a  great  proportion  of  her  citizens  would  attri 
bute  to  their  proper  origin,  the  objects  of  my  visit ;  yet, 
when  I  reflect  upon  the  management  and  intrigue  which 
are  operating  abroad,  the  magnitude  of  the  principles 
which  they  are  endeavoring  to  supplant,  and  the  many 
means  which  they  can  draw  to  their  assistance  from  the 
patronage  of  the  government,  I  feel  it  is  not  less  due  to 
myself  and  to  principle,  than  to  the  American  people,  par 
ticularly  so  far  as  they  have  sanctioned  my  political  creed, 
to  steer  clear  of  every  conduct  out  of  which  the  idea 
might  arise  that  I  was  manoeuvring  for  my  own  aggran 
dizement.  If  it  be  true,  that  the  administration  have 
gone  into  power  contrary  to  the  voice  of  the  nation,  and 
are  now  expecting,  by  means  of  this  power,  thus  acquired, 
to  mould  the  public  will  into  an  acquiescence  with  their 
authority,  then  is  the  issue  fairly  made  out — shall  the 
government  or  the  people  rule  ?  and  it  becomes  the  man 
whom  the  people  shall  indicate  as  their  rightful  represen 
tative  in  this  solemn  issue,  so  to  have  acquitted  himself, 
that,  while  he  displaces  these  enemies  of  liberty,  there 
will  be  nothing  in  his  own  example  to  operate  against  the 
strength  and  durability  of  the  government. 

"  With  this  candid  expression  of  my  feelings  on  this 
subject,  I  hope  you  will  recognize  nothing  inconsistent 
with  the  claims  which  my  friends  in  Kentucky  have  upon 


298  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

me.  Were  I  unconnected  with  the  present  contest,  you 
may  rest  assured  that  wherever  my  presence  or  my  labor 
would  be  useful  in  arresting  the  efforts  of  intrigue  and 
management,  I  should  not  hesitate  to  repair  to  the  post 
which  my  friends  might  indicate  as  the  most  exposed. 
It  is  a  source  of  much  regret  to  disappoint  your  wishes, 
and  others,  our  mutual  friends  in  Kentucky,  but  as  things 
are,  unless  Mrs.  Jackson's  health  should  render  it  ne 
cessary,  I  think  you  will  coincide  with  me,  that  a  visit  to 
Kentucky  would  be  improper  at  this  period.  I  shall  be 
happy  to  hear  from  you  on  the  receipt  of  this. 

"  Hastily,  your  friend,  ANDREW  JACKSON." 

In  the  spring  of  1827,  General  Jackson  received  a  let 
ter  from  H.  Johnson,  Esq.,  transmitting  a  copy  of  a  reso 
lution,  in  which  the  legislature  of  Louisiana,  expressed  a 
wish  that  the  illustrious  defender  of  New  Orleans,  should 
participate  in  the  celebration  at  that  city,  of  the  next  an 
niversary  of  the  glorious  victory  achieved  under  his  aus 
pices.  His  presence  there,  the  gentleman  added,  on  the 
return  of  that  auspicious  day,  would  be  hailed  with  en 
thusiasm  by  the  whole  population  of  Louisiana.  The 
general  replied,  by  requesting,  that  to  the  legislature  of  the 
state  of  Louisiana  might  be  conveyed  the  expression  of 
the  great  pleasure  it  would  afford  him  to  comply  with 
their  wish  on  this  occasion,  and  to  assure  them  that  no« 
thing  but  the  interposition  of  Divine  Providence  would 
prevent  him  from  uniting  with  them  and  the  citizens  of 
Louisiana,  his  associates  in  arms  and  in  those  privations 
and  dangers  which  rendered  glorious  the  day  intended 
to  be  celebrated. 

In  accordance  with  the  intentions,  expressed  in  his  leN 
ter,  General  Jackson  several  days  previous  to  the  8th  of 
January,  1828,  commenced  his  journey  to  New  Orleans, 
the  scene  of  his  former  exploits — the  spot  where  his  valor 
had  achieved  so  much  honor  for  himself  and  glory  for  his 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  209 

country.  The  description  of  the  celebration  to  which 
he  was  invited,  is  thus  given  by  one  who  witnessed  the 
scene  : 

The  steamboat  Courtland,  with  the  committee  appointed 
to  meet  the  guest  of  Louisiana,  left  New  Orleans  on  the 
28th  ult.  It  was  pleasing  to  observe,  as  we  proceeded  on 
our  way,  that  the  enthusiasm  kindled  in  the  city  was  felt 
intensely  in  distant  parts  of  the  state.  In  Concordia,  as 
well  as  in  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  the  people  knew  their 
deliverer  ;  every  heart  palpitated  at  the  sound  of  his  name, 
and  the  anticipation  of  his  arrival.  We  reached  Natchez 
on  the  first  of  January,  an  auspicious  day*  and  pregnant 
with  glorious  remembrances.  That  city  was  filled  with 
a  vast  multitude,  impatiently  waiting  for  our  guest.  On 
the  morning  of  the  fourth,  the  day  he  had  fixed  for  reach 
ing  Natchez,  the  heights  on  the  river  were  filled  with 
spectators ;  all  eyes  were  turned  upon  the  stream  in  breath 
less  expectation.  At  last  a  white  smoke,  curling  like  a 
mist  over  the  tops  of  the  cypress  trees,  proclaimed  the  ap 
proach  of  the  Pocahontas.  The  surrounding  hills  rang 
with  loud  huzzas,  greeting  their  arrival.  I  cannot  dwell 
with  minuteness  on  the  pleasing  scenes  which  followed. 
A  procession  along  the  picturesque  margin  of  the  river ; 
a  dinner,  at  which  ardent  devotion  was  guided  and  tem 
pered  by  decorum  and  politeness,  and  a  ball  at  which  the 
beauty  of  Mississippi  was  exhibited  with  all  that  taste 
could  add  to  natural  charms  and  native  grace  :  the  enthu 
siasm  of  the  whole  population,  the  shouts  of  the  multitude, 
proclaimed  that  Louisiana  and  Mississippi  were  united  by 
ennobling  sympathies. 

At  twelve  o'clock  at  night,  General  Jackson  re-em 
barked  in  the  Pocahontas ;  some  hours  afterwards,  the 
committee  of  Louisiania  followed  in  the  Courtland ;  and 
then  both  boats,  united  together,  descended  the  stream, 
checking  occasionally  their  velocity,  as  it  was  intended  to 


300  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

reach  New  Orleans  on  the  8th.  On  the  7th,  the  weather 
portended  a  storm  for  the  morrow  ;  it  rained  several  times 
throughout  the  day,  and  frequent  rainbows  gave  us  no  fa 
vorable  signs  for  the  great  day.  The  boats  anchored  above 
the  city  about  seven  in  the  evening.  We  were  crowded 
with  visitors  during  the  night.  We  learnt  that  the  legis 
lature  had  met  in  the  morning,  and  the  governor  had  an 
nounced  the  arrival  of  their  invited  guest ;  and  the  legis 
lature  of  the  state,  in  obedience  to  public  sentiment,  had 
appointed  a  joint  committee  to  act  in  conjunction  with  that 
of  the  people.  Every  thing  was  done  that  the  honor  of 
Louisiana  demanded — in  haste,  it  is  true — but  still  it  was 
done  :  and  it  was  sufficient ;  the  enthusiasm  of  the  people 
filled  up  the  outline,  imperfectly  sketched  by  their  repre 
sentatives. 

At  last  the  morning  of  the  auspicious  day  dawned  upon 
New  Orleans.  A  thick  mist  covered  the  water  and  the 
land,  and  at  ten  o'clock  began  to  rise  into  clouds ;  and 
when  the  sun  at  last  appeared,  it  served  only  to  show  the 
darkness  of  the  horizon,  threatening  a  storm  in  the  north. 
It  was  at  that  moment  the  city  became  visible,  with  its 
steeples  and  the  forest  of  masts  rising  from  the  waters.  At 
that  instant  too  a  fleet  of  steamboats  was  seen  advancing 
towards  the  Pocahontas,  which  had  now  got  under  way, 
with  twenty-four  flags  waving  over  her  lofty  decks.  Two 
stupendous  boats,  lashed  together,  led  the  van.  The 
whole  fleet  kept  up  a  constant  fire  of  artillery,  which  was 
answered  from  several  ships  in  the  harbor  and  from  the 
shore.  General  Jackson  stood  on  the  back  gallery  of  the 
Pocahontas,  his  head  uncovered,  conspicuous  to  the  whole 
multitude  which  literally  covered  the  steamboats,  the  ship 
ping,  and  the  surrounding  shores.  The  van  which  bore 
the  revolutionary  soldiers  and  the  remnant  of  the  old  Or 
leans  battalion,  passed  the  Pocahontas,  and,  rounding  to, 
fell  down  the  stream,  while  acclamations  of  thousands  of 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  301 

spectators  rang  from  the  river  to  the  woods,  and  back  to 
the  river. 

In  this  order  the  fleet,  consisting  of  eighteen  steam 
boats  of  the  first  class,  passed  close  to  the  city,  directing 
their  course  towards  the  field  of  battle.  When  it  was  first 
descried,  some  horsemen  only,  the  marshals  of  the  day, 
had  reached  the  ground.  But  in  a  few  minutes  it  seemed 
alive  with  a  vast  multitude,  brought  thither  on  horseback 
and  in  carriages,  and  poured  forth  from  the  steamboats. 
A  line  was  formed  by  Generals  Planche  and  Labaltat,  and 
the  committee  repaired  on  board  the  Pocahontas,  in  order 
to  invite  the  general  to  land  and  meet  his  brother-soldiers 
and  fellow-citizens.  I  have  no  words  to  describe  the  scene 
which  ensued.  It  would  require  a  bolder  pencil  than 
mine.  The  addresses  delivered  to  the  general,  and  his  an 
swers,  may  be  given  ;  but  that  which  cannot  be  given,  is 
the  expression  of  his  venerable  features,  and  the  intense 
feelings  of  his  heart,  portrayed  in  every  look.  It  would 
be  equally  difficult  to  depict  the  joy  and  pride  of  the  peo 
ple  in  again  beholding  their  "  country's  great  benefac 
tor."  Strangers,  who  had  come  from  afar  to  behold  the 
scene,  caught  the  contagious  sympathy.  When  he  be 
gan  to  speak,  the  noise  was  hushed — every  one  seemed 
eager  to  catch  the  sound  of  his  voice.  He  spoke  of  his 
own  deeds  with  modesty,  of  his  surviving  companions 
with  affection,  and  of  the  dead  with  fond  regret.  As  it 
grew  late,  he  was  harried  back  to  the  Pocahontas,  and 
the  fleet  ascended  the  river.  The  general  landed  oppo 
site  the  house  of  Mr.  Marigny.  The  United  States  troops, 
under  Colonel  Taylor  ;  the  legion,  under  Colonel  Roffig- 
nac ;  a  splendid  and  well  disciplined  company  of  volunteers 
from  Natchez,  under  Lieutenant  Walker  ;  the  first  brigade 
of  militia,  under  the  command  of  General  Robertson,  and 
Maj.  Gen.  Lacoste,  surrounded  by  a  brilliant  staff,  were 
drawn  up  in  line  of  battle  to  receive  him.  The  crowd  on 
26 


302  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  bank  of  the  river  was  immense  ;  the  windows,  the 
balconies,  even  the  roofs  of  the  houses,  the  decks,  tops, 
and  rigging  of  the  ships,  were  covered  with  spectators. 
Their  shouts,  when  the  general  touched  the  shore,  were 
as  loud  as  the  artillery,  wThich  thundered  from  the  land  and 
the  water  ;  he  marched  along  the  line  of  the  troops  with 
his  head  uncovered. 

The  procession  was  then  formed — the  general  on  foot — 
and  after  moving  through  the  principal  streets  in  the  city, 
reached  the  government-house,  where  the  governor  in 
troduced  him  to  the  same  legislature  who  had  invited  him 
to  Louisiana.  The  governor's  address  was  concise  and 
pertinent ;  the  general  answered  him  with  frankness  and 
energy,  no  less  remarkable  in  his  language  than  in  his 
actions  ;  each  member  was  presented  to  him  in  turn  ;  and 
all  acknowledged  the  courtesy,  the  ease,  and  unaffected 
dignity  of  his  manners.  From  the  legislature  he  pro 
ceeded  to  review  the  troops  at  the  invitation  of  the  gover 
nor  ;  the  procession  was  again  formed — and  the  general, 
attended  by  the  governor  and  the  legislature,  repaired  to 
the  Catholic  church,  where  religious  exercises  were  per 
formed.  When  the  ceremonies  were  terminated,  the  ge 
neral  was  conducted  by  the  committee  to  the  house  pre 
pared  for  his  residence.  He  was  then  informed  that  he 
was  invited  to  a  dinner  at  Davis'  hotel,  which  was  given 
in  commemoration  of  the  day.  The  tables  occupied  two 
rooms  of  vast  dimensions,  at  which  at  least  two  hundred 
persons  sat  down.  Mr.  Marigny  was  chosen  president  of 
the  day.  General  Jackson  was  placed  on  his  right,  Gover 
nor  Houston  of  Tennessee  on  his  left — the  venerable  Father 
Antonio  and  the  Abby  Monni,  sat  on  the  general's  left. 
Generals  Carroll  and  Hends,  and  Judge  Overton,  also 
sat  in  the  vicinity  of  the  president.  The  gentlemen  com 
posing  the  deputations  of  Ohio,  New  York,  Pennsylva 
nia,  Kentucky,  and  Mississippi,  were  placed  near  or  op- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  303 

posite  General  Jackson ;  the  friends  who  had  accompa 
nied  him  sat  next  to  the  three  vice  presidents.  Many  toasts 
were  drunk — they  were  warm  and  patriotic — nothing  va 
pid  in  them.  When  the  president  announced  the  name 
of  Jackson,  the  company  rose  up,  as  if  moved  by  one 
impulse,  and  rent  the  air  with  loud  and  repeated  huzzas. 
When  silence  was  restored,  Mr.  Marigny,  in  a  speech  de 
livered  with  an  energy  of  manner  in  unison  with  the  ar 
dor  of  his  feelings,  bestowed  a  merited  tribute  of  praise 
upon  the  services  and  character  of  the  guest  of  his  native 
state. 

From  the  dinner  I  followed  the  general  to  the  French 
theatre,  where  a  cantata,  composed  for  the  occasion,  was 
sung  with  admirable  taste  and  effect.  When  the  first  act 
of  the  opera  was  over,  the  general  proceeded  to  the  Ame 
rican  theatre,  where  he  was  greeted  with  the  same  salu 
tations  which  had  followed  him  from  the  battle-ground  to 
the  city.  At  11  o'clock  he  retired  to  his  house,  accompa 
nied  by  the  committee. 

Mrs.  Jackson,  who,  with  several  ladies  from  Tennessee, 
accompanied  her  husband  on  his  visit  to  Louisiana,  was 
met  and  waited  upon,  the  moment  she  landed  from  the 
Pocahontas,  by  Mrs.  Marigny,  and  other  respectable  la 
dies,  who,  after  having  congratulated  her  on  her  safe  ar 
rival,  conducted  her  to  Mr.  Marigny's  house,  where  re 
freshments  had  been  prepared,  and  where  she  received 
the  salutations  of  a  large  and  brilliant  circle. 

The  following  address,  while  the  general  was  upon  the 
battle-ground,  was  made  to  him  by  Mr.  John  R.  Grymes, 
one  of  his  aids  during  the  invasion  : 

"  General — I  have  been  deputed  by  the  citizens  of  New 
Orleans,  and  your  old  companions  in  arms,  to  receive  you 
on  this  spot,  consecrated  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  our 
country,  and  in  their  name  to  testify  to  you  their  feelings 
on  the  occasion,  which  has  again  brought  us  together. 


BIOGRAPHY    OF 

"  To  do  this,  no  language  at  my  command,  is  adequate. 
But  you,  sir,  will  be  able  fully  to  appreciate  them,  when 
I  declare  our  solemn  conviction,  that  to  your  conduct  on 
the  memorable  day,  whose  anniversary  we  celebrate,  we 
are  indebted  for  our  homes,  our  liberties,  our  all.  Accept 
then,  sir,  every  sentiment  of  gratitude,  which  a  devoted 
and  patriotic  people  can  feel  towards  him,  who  has  pre 
served  to  them  the  inestimable  blessings  of  our  constitu 
tion,  and  the  sacred  institutions  of  our  country :  and  our 
fervent  prayers,  that  your  deeds  may  meet  with  their  just 
reward  from  the  present  generation,  and  that  their  re 
membrance  may  extend  to  our  latest  posterity." 

The  general  replied  as  follows  : 

"  Sir — Thirteen  years  have  revolved  since,  fellow-citi 
zens,  and  fellows  in  arms,  we  met  on  these  plains.  Our 
country  was  then  shaken  by  the  storms  of  war,  and  we 
had  repaired  hither  to  resist  its  rudest  shock.  This  lovely 
land,  rich  in  its  present  aspect,  and  far  richer  in  its  future 
destinies — the  pride  of  western  commerce  and  the  key  of 
western  independence — was  insulted  by  invasion,  and 
threatened  by  conquest.  An  army,  strong  in  renown  and 
powerful  in  numbers,  haughty  from  success  and  eager  for 
spoil,  came  from  amidst  distant  seas  to  pour  its  pride  and 
fury  upon  Louisiana.  This  formidable  foe  we  met ;  and 
though  inferior  in  number  and  discipline  ;  though  not 
furnished  with  the  regular  means  of  defence;  though 
hastily  assembled  from  various  states ;  we  were  determined 
to  live  or  to  die  free ;  we  acted  with  concert,  we  fought 
with  confidence,  and  we  conquered.  The  justice  of  our 
cause  gave  us  courage,  and  the  favor  of  Heaven  granted 
us  victory,  and  requited  our  days  of  toil,  and  nights  of 
watching,  with  the  glory  of  giving  deliverance  to  our 
country  and  security  to  our  fellow-citizens.  In  common 
with  them  we  have  since  enjoyed  the  fruits  of  peace,  and 
pursuing  the  various  callings  of  life,  have  been  dispersed 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  305 

over  different  regions.  But  though  separated  by  time 
and  space,  the  bond  of  fraternity  cemented  on  this  field 
has  not  been  weakened — our  countrymen  hallowed  it  with 
their  gratitude.  With  what  pleasure  do  I  embrace  you 
again  !  In  what  language  shall  I  express  my  emotions  ? 
Must  I  not  regard  this  assemblage  of  my  martial  brothers 
as  a  peculiar  mark  of  the  goodness  of  Providence  ?  Shall  I 
not  esteem  this  concourse  of  my  fellow-citizens,  collected 
from  different  quarters  of  the  union,  as  evidence,  that  the 
nation  accepts  it  as  worthy  of  commemoration,  and  rejoices 
in  bestowing  its  honors  on  those  who  shared  its  dangers  ? 
What  greater  good  than  this,  within  the  sphere  of  human 
events,  can  fall  to  the  lot  of  man  ?  what  higher  incentive 
to  the  discharge  of  his  duty  as  a  citizen  and  a  soldier  ? 
And  what  an  inspiring  theme  does  it  afford  for  our  sup 
plications  to  that  God,  in  the  hollow  of  whose  hand  is  the 
fate  of  man  and  the  destiny  of  nations  ! — These  conside 
rations  prepare  me  to  receive  the  cordial  welcome  with 
which  I  am  honored,  and  in  behalf  of  the  valiant  men,  to 
whose  perseverance  and  undaunted  spirit,  I  owed  my  sue* 
cess,  I  receive  it  with  pride  and  joy. 

"  I  thank  you,  sir,  for  the  kind  assurance  of  the  regard 
of  my  fellow-citizens.  My  conduct  in  defending  your 
city  has  been  misunderstood  by  some,  and  misrepresented 
by  others ;  but  this  day's  testimony  in  its  favor  repays 
me  for  injury  and  injustice  ;  and  it  is  far  more  valuable 
than  any  gratification,  which  the  pride  of  power  or  the 
pomp  of  office  can  confer.  Most  of  you  were  witnesses 
of  the  scene  in  which  I  was  engaged,  and  know  the  mea 
sures  which  I  adopted  to  destroy  the  proud  foe,  and  pro 
tect  this  fair  city.  From  the  part  you  acted,  and  the  re 
lations  you  sustained,  you  are  competent  to  weigh  the  cir 
cumstances  by  which  I  was  surrounded,  and  to  estimate 
the  motives  by  which  I  was  governed.  Your  approba 
tion,  therefore,  gives  me  consolation,  and  satisfies  me  that 
26* 


306  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  course  which  I  pursued  was  required  by  the  interest 
and  honor  of  the  country.  In  that  perilous  crisis  I  thought 
it  my  duty  to  obey,  in  favor  of  my  country,  the  great  law 
of  necessity,  the  great  principle  of  self-defence — to  sacri 
fice  this  shadow  for  the  substance,  and  to  save  the  consti 
tution  by  suspending,  within  the  compass  of  sentinels,  the 
impending  action  of  certain  legal  forms.  This  step  I 
took,  neither  without  reflection,  nor  without  advice,  nor 
without  example.  And  when  I  review  it,  my  mind  ad 
heres  to  the  judgment,  which  I  have  formed.  Your  appro 
bation,  I  repeat,  confirms  this  opinion.  It  will,  I  believe, 
signalized  as  it  is  by  this  public  solemnity,  have  a  higher 
effect.  It  will  exhibit  to  posterity  a  salutary  example  of 
patriotism  and  justice,  and  thus  be  instrumental  in  secur 
ing  our  country  from  future  dangers.  Like  the  glory  of 
that  bright  day  which  saw  us  rise  into  national  existence, 
it  may  blaze  on  the  altars  of  liberty,  and  rekindle  from 
age  to  age  the  sacred  love  of  freemen  for  their  country. 

"  I  salute  you,  fellow-citizens,  and  embrace  you,  my 
brothers  in  arms,  and  offer  my  prayers  to  Heaven  for 
your  individual  happiness,  and  for  your  country's  glory." 

Mr.  Davezac,  also  one  of  his  aids,  then  addressed  him 
as  follows : 

"  General — I  should  be  insensible  indeed,  if  I  could 
express  the  deep  feelings  which  crowd  on  my  mind,  when, 
after  viewing  the  surrounding  scene,  I  cast  my  eyes  on 
him  whom  I  now  address  ;  this  ground,  made  holy  by 
deeds  of  eternal  renown  ;  this  plain,  where  patriotism  and 
valor  triumphed  over  numbers  and  discipline.  What  no 
ble  subjects  can  be  offered  to  the  meditation  of  philoso 
phy  ?  What  nobler  theme  can  excite  the  genius  of  an 
orator  ?  But  when  to  these  are  now  superadded  the 
shouts  of  an  enthusiastic  multitude,  the  roar  of  artillery, 
and  the  magnificent  spectacle  of  so  many  floating  palaces, 
displaying  lo  the  winds,  as  they  glide  along,  the  striped 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  307 

banners  on  which  shine  so  bright  the  auspicious  stars, 
the  happy  emblems  of  new-born  republics  ;  I  may  be  al 
lowed  to  hope,  that  the  inspiration  of  the  scene  may  sup 
ply  the  talent  which  ought  to  have  been  possessed  by  him, 
on  whom  devolves  the  task  of  expressing  the  gratitude  oi 
his  brother-soldiers.  It  was  a  happy  conception  of  the 
legislature  of  our  country,  to  invite  the  conqueror  of  the 
8th  of  January,  to  the  field  of  his  glory  ;  there  to  gladden 
his  eyes  by  the  spectacle  of  a  nation's  gratitude ;  to  offer 
to  his  sight,  after  thirteen  years  had  elapsed,  crowned 
with  the  choicest  gifts  of  nature,  enriched  by  the  tributes 
of  commerce,  of  industry,  and  of  the  arts,  Louisiana, 
whom  he  had  beheld  in  the  days  of  her  mourning,  in  the 
hour  of  calamity. 

"  Prosperity  does  not  harden  the  hearts  of  freemen,  foi 
it  is  in  the  midst  of  all  the  felicity  which  Providence  car 
bestow  on  a  favored  people,  that  Louisianians  delight  tc 
look  back  to  an  epoch  marked  by  dread  portents  and  ac> 
tual  perils  ;  and  it  is  at  the  very  moment  when  they  fee 
most  intensely  their  present  happiness,  that  they  recal 
the  remembrance  of  the  day  when  you  appeared  amon§ 
them  for  the  first  time.  You  found  them  ready  to  poui 
out  their  hearts'  blood  in  defence  of  their  country ;  bu 
they  had  been  waiting  for  a  chief,  for  one  firm  of  purpose 
capable  of  breasting  the  approaching  tempest.  The) 
were  aware,  that  at  such  a  crisis,  unity  of  command  wai 
their  only  safety,  and  that  you  alone  could  collect  the  scat 
tered  reeds,  bind  them  together,  and  give  them,  thus  united 
a  force  that  would  defy  all  hostile  efforts.  You  called  oj 
the  brave,  wherever  born,  and  you  uttered  the  sacred  word; 
Honor  ! — Country  !  All  hearts  vibrated  at  the  sound— 
what  once  was  rivalry  became  emulation — what  had  beei 
envy  was  changed  into  a  noble  jealousy  of  fame.  Vari 
ous  languages  were  spoken  at  these  memorable  times 


308  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

You  had  inspired  all  your  warriors  with  your  own  pre 
saging  hopes. 

"  We  have  come  this  day  to  salute,  at  the  very  instant 
when  he  treads  again  this  hallowed  ground,  the  hero  of 
this  great  anniversary.  We  come  too,  like  the  Greeks  of 
old,  when  they  visited  the  field  of  Marathon,  to  honor  the 
warriors  whom  fate  forbade  to  join  in  the  triumph  they 
purchased  at  the  price  of  their  lives.  But  why  do  I  de 
tain  you  so  long,  even  on  this  field  of  your  fame  ?  While 
these  veteran  soldiers  press  the  hand  of  their  chief,  a 
whole  city  waits  the  return  of  the  vessel  which  bears  the 
guest  of  Louisiana.  The  legislators  of  our  state  have 
suspended  their  deliberations ;  the  multitude  cover  the 
banks  of  this  great  river,  the  temples  are  opened,  the  in 
cense  ascending  to  heaven,  together  with  the  blessings  of 
a  grateful  people.  Go,  happy  conqueror  !  Go,  and  hear 
the  voice  of  mothers  greeting  the  hero  who  brought  them 
back  their  sons.  Go,  and  hear  the  cheerings  of  the  wives 
and  daughters  from  whom  you  averted  the  insults  of  a 
lawless  soldiery.  Go,  and  meet  the  kind,  the  rapturous 
welcome  of  the  new  generation  ;  the  children  born  since 
1815,  the  future  men  of  Louisiana,  await  also  the  deli 
verer  of  their  fathers." 

General  Jackson  thus  replied  : 

"  Sir — Your  language  arid  imagination,  attest  the 
fervor  of  the  clime  you  inhabit,  and  do  justice  to  the  ge 
nerous  people  you  represent.  They  do  justice  also  to  my 
brave  associates,  who  enriched  the  field  before  us  with 
glory,  and  filled  it  with  recollections  which  so  powerfully 
excite  your  enthusiasm,  and  are  regarded  with  such  li 
beral  interest  by  your  state.  While  I  rejoice  with  you  in 
the  prosperity  of  Louisiana,  which  smiles  on  the  banks 
and  floats  on  the  current  of  its  majestic  river,  I  take 
pleasure  in  reflecting  that  it  is  the  just  reward  of  the 
valor  and  patriotism  she  displayed  under  a  pressure 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  309 

of  danger,  which  valor  and  patriotism  alone  have  sup 
ported. 

"  In  this  assembly,  I  see  many  of  her  sons,  whose 
swords  opposed  a  rampart  to  the  powerful  foe,  and  whose 
lives  were  preserved  in  honor,  because  they  were  offered 
a  sacrifice  to  glory.  You,  sir,  are  one  of  this  chivalric 
band,  and  doubtless,  when  you  witness  this  scene,  you  are 
filled  with  those  emotions,  which  your  fancy  compares  to 
the  feeling's  of  the  soldiers  of  Miltiades,  when  they  re 
visited  the  field  of  their  victory.  Here  1  rejoice  to  meet 
you,  and  to  mingle  my  exultation  \vith  yours  in  the  pros 
perity  and  glory  of  our  common  country." 

Many  other  details  of  this  highly  interesting  celebration 
might  be  given,  but  we  are  necessitated  to  omit  them.  On 
the  12th  of  January,  General  Jackson  and  suite  left  New 
Orleans,  on  his  return  to  the  Hermitage.  After  his  arri 
val,  he  addressed  a  letter  to  one  of  the  members  of  the 
Louisiana  legislature,  expressive  of  his  sentiments  rela 
tive  to  the  cordial  reception  he  there  met  with,  of  which 
the  following  is  an  extract : 

" 1  seize  upon  this  occasion  to  make  to  you  and  the 
other  members  of  the  committee  of  the  legislature  of 
Louisiana,  a  tender  of  my  sincere  thanks  for  your  very 
kind  and  polite  attention  while  I  was  in  your  hospitable 
city.  The  liberality  and  politeness  of  the  governor  and 
legislature  of  Louisiana,  bestowed  upon  me  during  my 
late  visit,  are  treasured  up  with  the  most  lively  recollec 
tions  of  gratitude,  and  will  be  cherished  through  life  with 
the  warmest  emotions." 


310  BIOGRAPHY  OF 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

Violence  of  party  spirit — General  Jackson  elected  presi 
dent  of  the  United  States — Death  of  Mrs.  Jackson — 
General  Jackson  declines  the  accepta?ice  of  invitations 
to  public  entertainments,  on  his  way  to  Washington — 
He  repairs  to  the.  seat  of  government — His  reception — 
Inauguration — Inaugural  address — His  cabinet — Re 
movals  from  office — Defence  of  the  measure — His  first 
message  to  congress. 

As  the  presidential  election  approached,  the  hostility 
of  the  political  parties  towards  each  other  increased. 
Never,  it  is  believed,  has  a  political  contest  heen  waged 
with  such  a  bitter  uncompromising  spirit — such  a  total 
disregard  of  those  principles  which  almost  invariably 
govern  the  contests  of  honorable  men  for  place  or  pow 
er,  as  that  of  1828.  General  Jackson  was  the  candi 
date  of  the  people  ;  he  had  devoted  his  whole  life  to 
the  advancement  of  the  prosperity  and  glory  of  his  coun 
try,  and  his  fellow-citizens  were  ready  to  bestow  their 
favors  upon  him  with  a  willing  hand.  His  opponents 
were  aware  of  this,  and  resolved,  if  possible,  to  counteract 
their  intentions.  With  this  end  in  view,  almost  every  act 
of  his  life,  either  public  or  private,  was  represented  as 
embodying  some  crime  which  degrades  and  dishonors  our 
common  nature.  But  his  fame  passed  every  ordeal  with 
a  renovated  brilliancy.  In  the  autumn  of  1828,  the  elec 
tion  took  place  which  resulted  in  the  choice  of  General 
Jackson,  by  a  large  majority. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  311 

In  December,  he  met  with  a  severe  affliction,  in  the 
death  of  Mrs.  Jackson.  She  was  an  amiable  and  excel 
lent  woman,  and  was  greatly  beloved  by  all  within  the 
extensive  circle  of  her  acquaintance.  This  melancholy 
event  happened  on  the  evening  of  the  22d,  and  the  intel 
ligence  spread  a  deep  gloom  throughout  the  vicinity  of 
the  Hermitage.  The  following  day,  being  the  anniver 
sary  of  an  interesting'  and  important  event  in  the  last  war, 
had  been  appropriately  selected  to  testify  the  respect  and 
affection  of  his  fellow-citizens  and  neighbors  to  the  man 
who  was  so  soon  to  leave  his  sweet  domestic  retirement, 
to  assume  the  responsibilities  and  discharge  the  important 
duties  of  chief  magistrate  of  the  nation.  Preparations 
had  been  made — the  table  well  nigh  spread,  at  which  all 
was  expected  to  be  hilarity  and  joy  ;  the  citizens  of  Nash 
ville  had  sallied  forth  on  the  happy  morning  with  spirits 
light  and  buoyant,  and  countenances  beaming'  with  ani 
mation  and  hope — when  suddenly  the  scene  was  changed  ; 
congratulations  were  converted  into  expressions  of  con 
dolence,  tears  were  substituted  for  smiles,  and  a  general 
mourning  pervaded  a  community,  where,  but  a  moment 
before,  universal  happiness  and  public  rejoicing  prevailed. 

The  funeral  of  Mrs.  Jackson,  was  attended  by  an  im 
mense  concourse  of  people.  Her  remains  were  interred 
in  the  lower  part  of  the  garden  of  the  Hermitage.  The 
general  was  supported  to  the  grave  by  General  Coffee 
and  Major  Rutledge.  It  is  said  by  those  wTho  witnessed 
the  scene,  that  the  exhibition  of  grief  on  the  part  of  the 
relatives  and  friends  of  the  deceased  was  excessive  be 
yond  description.  Some  of  her  domestics  seemed  stupi- 
fied  by  the  event,  others  wrung  their  hands  and  shrieked 
aloud.  These  were  testimonials  of  the  worth  and  excel 
lence  of  the  departed,  which  are  seldom  discoverable  in 
the  solemn  pomp  and  heartless  mummery  that  often  attend 
the  obsequies  of  the  illustrious  dead. 


312  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

The  severity  of  the  blow  upon  her  partner  was  heavy 
beyond  conception.  A  gentleman  from  Philadelphia  who 
was  present  at  the  funeral,  wrote  thus  to  his  brother  : 

"  After  the  funeral,  the  general  came  up  to  me,  took 
my  hand  and  shook  it.  Some  of  the  gentlemen  men 
tioned  my  name.  He  again  caught  my  hand  with  a  fer 
vent  pressure,  but  could  not  speak.  I  never  shall  forget 
his  look  of  grief." 

The  time  was  now  at  hand  when  it  would  be  necessary 
for  General  Jackson  to  repair  to  the  seat  of  government. 
Previous  to  his  departure,  he  received  numerous  invita 
tions  to  pass  through  various  places  on  his  route,  and 
partake  of  the  hospitalities  of  his  friends.  The  following 
is  a  reply  to  a  letter  from  a  committee  of  the  citizens  of 
Lynchburg  who  invited  him  to  pass  through  that  place, 
and  receive  the  respects  of  its  inhabitants  : 

Hermitage,  Dec.  9th,  1828. 

"  Gentlemen — I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  22d 
ultimo,  presenting  to  me  the  congratulations  of  my  friends 
in  Lynchburg,  and  its  vicinity,  and  inviting  me  in  their 
name  to  pass  through  that  section  of  country,  on  my  way 
to  Washington,  in  the  event  of  my  election.  So  lively  an 
expression  of  regard  for  my  character  and  services,  as 
that,  gentlemen,  which  you  have  been  pleased  to  convey 
on  this  occasion,  is  received  with  every  sentiment  of  res 
pect  :  and  I  beg  leave  to  offer,  in  return  for  it,  the  grate 
ful  assurance  that  it  would  afford  me  great  satisfaction  to 
accept  the  invitation,  were  it  probable  that  I  could  comply 
with  it.  But  as  I  shall  feel  myself  bound  to  aAvait  the 
complete  ascertainment  of  the  election,  before  I  make  any 
arrangement  on  this  result ;  and  then,  in  event  of  my 
election,  would  be  compelled  to  take  the  most  expeditious 
route  in  order  to  reach  the  city  by  the  4th  of  March,  the 
pleasure  of  paying  you  my  personal  respects,  must  be 
postponed  to  some  future  period. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  313 

"  I  pray  you  to  accept  for  yourselves,  and  present  to 
those  you  represent,  the  assurance  of  my  respect  and  high 
consideration,  and  believe  me,  very  sincerely,  your  obe 
dient  servant,  ANDREW  JACKSON." 

In  reply  to  an  invitation  from  the  members  of  the  Penn 
sylvania  legislature,  received  after  the  afflictive  event  of 
Mrs.  Jackson's  death,  to  visit  Harrisburgh  on  his  way  to 
Washington,  he  said :  "  It  having  pleased  the  Author  of 
all  mercies,  by  a  late  dispensation  of  his  providence,  to 
remove  from  this  world  the  stay  and  solace  of  my  life, 
feelings,  of  which  I  need  not  attempt  the  description, 
compel  me  to  decline  the  invitation  with  which  the  mem 
bers  of  the  Pennsylvania  legislature,  friendly  to  my  elec 
tion,  have  honored  me.  I  am  not,  however,  even  in  this 
hour  of  affliction,  insensible  to  your  kindness  ;  and  I  can 
not  but  feel  obliged  to  you,  gentlemen,  for  the  polite  and 
favorable  terms  in  which  you  have  communicated  it  to  me 
in  your  letter  of  the  8th  inst.  The  obligations  I  owe  to 
the  people  and  legislature  of  Pennsylvania,  for  repeated 
evidences  of  genuine  partiality  and  support,  impress  me 
with  a  sense  of  gratitude  and  deference  for  that  great  and 
patriotic  state,  which  in  every  vicissitude  of  life  I  shall 
cherish,  and  which,  under  less  mournful  circumstances,  I 
should  be  proud  to  manifest  by  attending  her  capital,  and 
paying  respects  in  person  to  her  citizens." 

Towards  the  close  of  January,  1829,  General  Jackson 
and  suite  left  the  Hermitage  for  the  seat  of  government. 
The  inhabitants  of  the  places  through  which  he  passed 
assembled  and  paid  him  their  congratulations  ;  his  recent 
bereavement,  however,  made  him  desirous  of  dispensing 
with  all  unnecessary  ceremony,  a  wish  which  was  com 
plied  with  on  the  part  of  his  friends,  by  a  delicate  forbear 
ance,  evincive  of  their  respect  for  his  character,  and  sym 
pathy  in  his  affliction. 

He  arrived  in  Washington  early  in  February,  in  a 
27 


314  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

plain  carriage,  and  escorted  by  only  ten  or  twelve  horse 
men,  and  was  received  with  very  little  ceremony,  at  his 
own  particular  request.  It  is  the  great  glory  of  our 
institutions,  that  one  president  retires  from  and  another 
enters  upon  the  duties  of  the  office,  as  if  without  effort — 
or  as  a  natural  effect  of  our  republican  establishments. 
It  is  this  more  than  any  thing,  that  excites  the  astonish 
ment  of  king-ridden  Europeans.  They  wonder  at  the 
operation  of  the  laws,  without  the  exhibition  of  force. 

After  counting  the  electoral  votes,  and  ascertaining  that 
General  Jackson  was  elected,  a  committee,  consisting  of 
Mr.  Tazewell  from  the  senate,  and  Messrs.  Hamilton  and 
Bell  of  the  house,  were  appointed  to  notify  General  Jack 
son  of  his  election.  Soon  after  they  were  ushered  into  the 
drawing-room,  the  president  elect  also  came  in,  when  Mr. 
Tazewell,  the  chairman,  met  him,  and  addressed  him  to  the 
following  effect : 

'*  Sir — In  obedience  to  the  orders  of  the  senate  and 
house  of  representatives  of  the  United  States,  and  by  the 
direction  of  their  joint  committee,  appointed  for  that  spe 
cial  purpose,  it  is  my  duty  to  notify  you,  that  you  have 
been  duly  elected  president  of  the  United  States,  for  the 
term  of  four  years,  to  commence  with  the  4th  day  of  March 
next.  While  performing  this  act  of  duty,  I  beg  leave 
to  offer  you  my  own  and  the  cordial  congratulations  of 
each  of  my  associates  of  this  committee,  on  this  event, 
an  event  which  we  all  very  confidently  believe,  will  re 
dound  not  less  to  your  fame,  and  to  the  future  benefit  of 
our  common  country,  than  any  other  of  those  occurrences 
which  have  signalized  your  past  life,  and  secured  to  you 
that  respect,  and  esteem,  and  confidence  of  your  fellow- 
citizens,  which  have  been  so  fully  illustrated  in  your  re 
cent  election.  The  particulars  of  this  election  will  be 
made  known  to  you  by  the  record  which  I  now  have  the 
honor  to  place  in  your  hands." 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  315 

Mr.  Tazewell  then  handed  him  a  transcript  of  the  jour 
nal  of  the  two  houses,  containing  their  proceedings  on 
the  day  of  opening  and  counting  the  ballots. 

To  this  address  General  Jackson  very  appropriately 
and  feelingly  replied  :  "  Sir — The  notification  that  I  have 
been  elected  president  of  the  United  States  for  four  years 
from  the  fourth  of  March  next,  by  the  directions  of  the  se 
nate  and  house  of  representatives,  you  have  so  politely  pre 
sented,  is  received  with  feelings  of  the  deepest  sensibility. 

"  I  desire  you  to  communicate  to  the  respective  houses 
of  congress,  my  acceptance  of  the  high  trust,  which  has 
been  conferred  by  my  fellow-citizens,  with  an  acknow 
ledgment  of  the  responsibility  which  it  enjoins  ;  and  that 
I  can  make  no  suitable  return  for  so  flattering  a  proof  of 
their  confidence  and  attachment.  All  that  I  can  offer, 
is  my  willingness  to  enter  upon  the  duties  which  they 
have  confided  to  me,  with  an  earnest  desire  to  execute 
them  in  a  manner  the  best  calculated  to  promote  the  pros 
perity  and  happiness  of  our  common  country,  and  to  the 
attainment  of  these  objects,  shall  my  unceasing  efforts  be 
directed.  I  beg  you,  sir,  to  convey  to  the  senate  and 
house  of  representatives,  assurances  of  my  respect  and 
regard." 

On  the  fourth  of  March,  the  ceremony  of  his  inaugu 
ration  took  place  in  the  senate-chamber.  General  Jack 
son  entered  it  at  half  past  eleven  o'clock,  attended  by  the 
marshal  of  the  district,  and  the  committee  of  arrange 
ments,  and  took  his  seat  immediately  in  front  of  the  se 
cretary's  desk.  The  chief  justice  of  the  United  States, 
and  associate  judges,  entered  soon  after,  and  occupied  the 
seats  assigned  for  them  on  the  right  of  the  president's  chair. 
The  foreign  ministers  and  their  suites,  in  their  splendid 
official  costumes,  occupied  seats  on  the  left  of  the  chair. 
A  large  number  of  ladies  were  present,  and  occupied 
seats  in  the  rear  of  the  senators,  and  the  lobby  under  the 


316  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

eastern  gallery.     The  western  gallery  was  reserved  for 
the  members  of  the  house  of  representatives. 

The  senate  adjourned  at  twelve  o'clock,  and  a  proces 
sion  was  formed  to  the  eastern  portico  of  the  capitol, 
where,  in  presence  of  an  immense  concourse  of  spectators 
filling  the  portico,  the  steps,  and  the  inclosure,  the  presi 
dent  of  the  United  States  delivered  his  inaugural  address 
as  follows : 

"  Fellow-citizens :  About  to  undertake  the  arduous  duties 
that  I  have  been  appointed  to  perform,  by  the  choice  of  a 
free  people,  I  avail  myself  of  this  customary  and  solemn 
occasion,  to  express  the  gratitude  which  their  confidence 
inspires,  and  to  acknowledge  the  accountability  which  my 
situation  enjoins.  While  the  magnitude  of  their  interests 
convinces  me  that  no  thanks  can  be  adequate  to  the  honor 
they  have  conferred,  it  admonishes  me  that  the  best  re 
turn  I  can  make,  is  the  zealous  dedication  of  my  humble 
abilities  to  their  service  and  their  good. 

"  As  the  instrument  of  the  federal  constitution,  it  will 
devolve  upon  me,  for  a  stated  period,  to  execute  the  laws 
of  the  United  States ;  to  superintend  their  foreign  and 
confederate  relations  ;  to  manage  their  revenue  ;  to  com 
mand  their  forces  ;  and,  by  communications  to  the  legis 
lature,  to  watch  over  and  to  promote  their  interests  gene 
rally.  And  the  principles  of  action  by  which  I  shall  en 
deavor  to  accomplish  this  circle  of  duties,  it  is  now  proper 
for  me  briefly  to  explain. 

"  In  administering  the  laws  of  congress,  I  shall  keep 
steadily  in  view  the  limitations  as  well  as  the  extent  of  the 
executive  power,  trusting  thereby  to  discharge  the  func 
tions  of  my  office,  without  transcending  its  authority. 
With  foreign  nations  it  will  be  my  study  to  preserve 
peace,  and  to  cultivate  friendship  on  fair  and  honorable 
terms  ;  and,  in  the  adjustment  of  any  difference  that  may 
exist  or  arise,  to  exhibit  the  forbearance  becoming  a 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  317 

powerful  nation,  rather  than  the  sensibility  belonging  to  a 
gallant  people. 

"  In  such  measures  as  I  may  be  called  on  to  pursue,  in 
regard  to  the  rights  of  the  separate  states,  I  hope  to  be 
animated  by  a  proper  respect  for  those  sovereign  members 
of  our  Union ;  taking  care  not  to  confound  the  powers 
they  have  reserved  to  themselves,  with  those  they  have 
granted  to  the  confederacy. 

"  The  management  of  the  public  revenue — that  search 
ing  operation  in  all  governments — is  among  the  most  deli 
cate  and  important  trusts  in  ours ;  and  it  will,  of  course, 
demand  no  inconsiderable  share  of  my  official  solicitude. 
Under  every  aspect  in  which  it  can  be  considered,  it  would 
appear  that  advantage  must  result  from  the  observance  of 
a  strict  and  faithful  economy.  This  I  shall  aim  at  the 
more  anxiously,  both  because  it  will  facilitate  the  extin 
guishment  of  the  national  debt — the  unnecessary  duration 
of  which  is  incompatible  with  real  independence — and 
because  it  will  counteract  that  tendency  to  public  and  pri 
vate  profligacy,  which  a  profuse  expenditure  of  money  by 
the  government  is  but  too  apt  to  engender.  Powerful 
auxiliaries  to  the  attainment  of  this  desirable  end,  are  to 
be  found  in  the  regulations  provided  by  the  wisdom  of 
congress  for  the  specific  appropriation  of  public  money, 
and  the  prompt  accountability  of  public  officers. 

"  With  regard  to  a  proper  selection  of  the  subjects  of 
impost,  with  a  view  to  revenue ;  it  would  seem  to  me  that 
the  spirit  of  equity,  caution,  and  compromise,  in  which 
the  constitution  was  formed,  requires  that  the  great  inter 
ests  of  agriculture,  commerce,  and  manufactures,  should 
be  equally  favored  ;  and  that,  perhaps,  the  only  exception 
to  this  rule  should  consist  in  the  peculiar  encouragement 
of  any  products  of  either  of  them  that  may  be  found  essen 
tial  to  our  national  independence. 

"  Internal  improvement,  and  the  diffusion  of  knowledge, 
27* 


318  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

so  far  as  they  can  be  promoted  by  the  constitutional  act  ? 
of  the  federal  government,  are  of  high  importance. 

"  Considering  standing  armies  as  dangerous  to  free  go 
vernments,  in  time  of  peace,  I  shall  not  seek  to  enlarge 
our  present  establishment,  nor  disregard  that  salutary 
lesson  of  political  experience  which  teaches  that  the  mi  • 
litary  should  be  held  subordinate  to  the  civil  power.  The 
gradual  increase  of  our  navy,  whose  flag  has  displayed 
in  distant  climes,  our  skill  in  navigation,  and  our  fame  ii 
arms ;  the  preservation  of  our  forts,  arsenals,  and  dock 
yards  ;  and  the  introduction  of  progessive  improvements 
in  the  discipline  and  science  of  both  branches  of  our  mili 
tary  service,  are  so  plainly  prescribed  by  prudence,  that 
I  should  be  excused  for  omitting  their  mention,  sooner 
than  enlarging  on  their  importance.  But  the  bulwark  of 
our  defence  is  the  national  militia,  which,  in  the  present 
state  of  our  intelligence  and  population,  must  render  us 
invincible.  As  long  as  our  government  is  administered 
for  the  good  of  the  people,  and  is  regulated  by  their  will ; 
as  long  as  it  secures  to  us  the  rights  of  person  and  of  pro 
perty,  liberty  of  conscience,  and  of  the  press,  it  will  be 
worth  defending ;  and  so  long  as  it  is  worth  defending,  a 
patriotic  militia  will  cover  it  with  an  impenetrable  aegis. 
Partial  injuries  and  occasional  mortifications  we  may  be 
subjected  to  ;  but  a  million  of  armed  freemen,  possessed  of 
the  means  of  war,  can  never  be  conquered  by  a  foreign 
foe.  To  any  just  system,  therefore,  calculated  to  strength 
en  this  natural  safeguard  of  the  country,  I  shall  cheer 
fully  lend  all  the  aid  in  my  power. 

"  It  will  be  my  sincere  and  constant  desire  to  observe, 
towards  the  Indian  tribes  within  our  limits,  a  just  and 
liberal  policy ;  and  to  give  that  humane  and  considerate 
attention  to  their  rights  and  their  wants,  which  are  con 
sistent  with  the  habits  of  our  government  and  the  feelings 
of  our  people. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  319 

"  The  recent  demonstration  of  public  sentiment  inscribes 
on  the  list  of  executive  duties,  in  characters  too  legible  to 
be  overlooked,  the  task  of  reform  ;  which  will  require, 
particularly,  the  correction  of  those  abuses  that  have 
brought  the  patronage  of  the  federal  government  into  con 
flict  with  the  freedom  of  elections,  and  the  counteraction 
of  those  causes  which  have  disturbed  the  rightful  course 
of  appointment,  and  have  placed,  or  continued  power,  in 
unfaithful  or  incompetent  hands. 

"  In  the  performance  of  a  task  thus  generally  delineated, 
I  shall  endeavor  to  select  men  whose  diligence  and  ta- 
lenta  will  insure,  in  their  respective  stations,  able  and 
faithful  co-operation — depending,  for  the  advancement  of 
the  public  service,  more  on  the  integrity  and  zeal  of  the 
public  officers,  than  on  their  numbers. 

"  A  diffidence,  perhaps  too  just,  in  my  own  qualifica 
tions,  will  teach  me  to  look  with  reverence  to  the  exam 
ples  of  public  virtue  left  by  my  illustrious  predecessors, 
and  with  veneration  to  the  lights  that  flow  from  the  mind 
that  founded,  and  the  mind  that  reformed,  our  system. 
The  same  diffidence  induces  me  to  hope  for  instruction 
and  aid  from  the  co-ordinate  branches  of  the  government, 
and  for  the  indulgence  and  support  of  my  fellow-citizens 
generally.  And  a  firm  reliance  on  the  goodness  of  that 
Power  whose  providence  mercifully  protected  our  national 
infancy,  and  has  since  upheld  our  liberties  in  various  vi 
cissitudes,  encourages  me  to  offer  up  my  ardent  supplica 
tions  that  he  will  continue  to  make  our  beloved  country 
the  object  of  his  divine  care  and  gracious  benediction." 

When  he  had  concluded  his  address,  the  oath  to  sup 
port  the  constitution  of  the  United  States  was  administer 
ed  to  him  by  Chief  Justice  Marshall.  Salutes  were  fired 
by  two  companies  of  artillery,  stationed  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  capitol,  which  were  repeated  at  the  forts,  and  by  de 
tachments  of  artillery  on  the  plains.  When  the  president 


320  BIOGRAPHY    Of' 

retired,  the  procession  was  re-formed,  and  he  was  con 
ducted  to  the  presidential  mansion.  He  here  received 
the  salutations  of  a  large  number  of  persons,  who  came 
to  congratulate  him  on  his  induction  to  the  presidency. 

General  Jackson  organized  his  cabinet  by  appointing 
Martin  Van  Buren,  of  New  York,  secretary  of  state; 
Samuel  D.  Ingham,  of  Pennsylvania,  secretary  of  the 
treasury  ;  John  H.  Eaton,  of  Tennessee,  secretary  of 
war  ;  John  Branch,  of  North  Carolina,  secretary  of  the 
navy  ;  and  John  M.  Berrien,  of  Georgia,  attorney  gene 
ral. 

Among  some  of  the  first  acts  of  General  Jackson's  ad 
ministration,  was  that  of  removing  from  offices,  within  the 
executive  gift,  those  incumbents  who  were  considered 
either  incompetent  or  unworthy  of  the  trusts  that  had  been 
reposed  in  them.  For  this  he  was  censured,  as  possess 
ing  a  spirit  of  proscription.  Each  removal  made,  was 
blazoned  over  the  country,  as  evidence  of  a  persecuting 
and  intolerant  spirit.  Many  of  the  removed  officers  even 
appealed  to  the  people,  as  though  their  rights  had  been 
violated.  But  when  wre  consider  the  circumstances  under 
which  General  Jackson  was  elected,  we  ought  perhaps 
rather  to  be  astonished  at  the  fewness  than  at  the  number 
of  the  removals. 

For  eight  and  twenty  years,  the  line  of  "  safe  prece 
dents"  had  remained  unbroken.  The  supreme  magistracy 
of  this  country  had  passed  as  regularly  from  the  presi 
dent  to  his  secretary  of  state,  as  the  crown  of  Great  Bri 
tain  descends  from  father  to  son.  In  the  mean  time,  there 
had  been  but  few  if  any  changes  in  the  subordinate  offi 
cers  at  Washington,  except  such  as  occurred  in  the  course 
of  nature.  Many  men  had  grown  gray  in  office;  and 
their  children  had  been  provided  for  out  of  the  public 
purse.  The  people  thought  it  was  time  to  change  this 
order  of  things.  They  believed  that  abuses  existed  in 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  321 

the  executive  departments  at  Washington.  They  knew 
that  liberty  was  Hesperian  fruit,  and  ought  to  be  guarded 
with  watchful  jealousy.  They  therefore  determined, 
that  the  transactions  of  the  federal  government  should  be 
subjected  to  a  thorough  examination,  that  the  light  should 
penetrate  the  obscure  recesses  of  the  different  executive 
departments.  In  short,  they  desired  to  know,  in  what 
manner  the  men  who  had  been  in  office  twenty-eight 
years  had  conducted  their  affairs.  This  was  a  principal 
cause  of  the  changes  that  were  made. 

Had  General  Jackson  continued  all  the  subordinate 
officers  in  the  department ;  had  he  folded  his  hands  quiet 
ly,  and  suffered  the  concerns  of  government  to  flow  on  in 
the  same  unbroken  streams  ;  he  would  have  disobeyed 
the  commands  of  the  people,  and  would  have  violated  one 
of  the  most  important  trusts  ever  conferred  upon  man. 
The  people  did  not  elect  him  president  as  a  reward  for 
his  past  services  merely,  great  and  distinguished  as  they 
were,  but  because  they  believed  his  life  had  furnished  as 
surances  that  he  possessed  sufficient  integrity  and  firm 
ness  to  examine  and  correct  all  abuses  wherever  they 
existed.  It  was  his  solemn  duty  to  remove  such  of  the 
officers  as  he  believed  would  stand  in  the  way  of  this  in 
vestigation — the  public  good  required  it.  His  adminis 
tration  stood  pledged  to  the  people  to  make  this  examina 
tion;  and  that  pledge  he  meant  should  be  fully  redeemed. 
How  then  is  it  possible  he  could  have  redeemed  this 
trust,  had  he  continued  those  very  officers  in  power 
whose  past  conduct  was  to  be  the  subject  of  examination  ? 
Is  it  to  be  supposed  that  he  would  employ  them  to  sit  in 
judgment  upon  themselves?-  There  is  good  reason  for 
presumption  that  he  removed  such  of  them  only  as  the 
public  good  required.* 

The  other  acts  which  marked  the  commencement  of 
*  Buchanan's  speech. 


322  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

General  Jackson's  administration,  were  such  as  had  been 
expected  from  the  well  known  energy  of  his  character, 
and  the  purity  of  the  motives  which  had  ever  been  found 
to  govern  his  public  and  private  life,  and  they  were  me. 
by  the  approbation  of  a  large  majority  of  the  Americar. 
people. 

On  the  opening  of  congress  in  December,  1829,  Gene 
ral  Jackson  presented  his  first  message  to  the  representa 
tives  of  the  nation.  It  is  a  very  able  production  ;  and  as 
it  contains  an  interesting  history  of  our  national  relations 
at  that  period,  and  also  of  the  policy  that  had  been  com 
menced,  and  which  was  intended  to  be  pursued  by  Gene 
ral  Jackson  in  the  administration  of  our  government,  we 
transcribe  it : 

"  Fellow-citizens  of  the  senate  and  of  the  house  of  re 
presentatives  : 

"  It  affords  me  pleasure  to  tender  my  friendly  greetings 
to  you  on  the  occasion  of  your  assembling  at  the  seat  of 
government,  to  enter  upon  the  important  duties  to  which 
you  have  been  called  by  the  voice  of  our  countrymen. 
The  task  devolves  on  me,  under  a  provision  of  the  consti 
tution,  to  present  to  you,  as  the  federal  legislature  of 
twenty-four  sovereign  states,  and  twelve  millions  of  hap 
py  people,  a  view  of  our  affairs ;  and  to  propose  such 
measures  as,  in  the  discharge  of  my  official  functions, 
have  suggested  themselves  as  necessary  to  promote  the 
objects  of  our  union. 

"  In  communicating  with  you  for  the  first  time,  it  is,  to 
me,  a  source  of  unfeigned  satisfaction,  calling  for  mutual 
gratulation  and  devout  thanks  to  a  benign  Providence,  that 
we  are  at  peace  with  all  mankind  ;  and  that  our  country 
exhibits  the  most  cheering  evidence  of  general  welfare 
and  progressive  improvement.  Turning  our  eyes  to 
other  nations,  our  great  desire  is  to  see  our  brethren  of 
the  human  race  secured  in  the  blessings  enjoyed  by  oui> 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  323 

selves,  and  advancing  in  knowledge,  in  freedom,  and  in 
social  happiness. 

"  Our  foreign  relations,  although  in  their  general  cha 
racter  pacific  and  friendly,  present  subjects  of  difference 
between  us  and  other  powers,  of  deep  interest,  as  Avell  to 
the  country  at  large  as  to  many  of  our  citizens.  To  ef 
fect  an  adjustment  of  these  shall  continue  to  be  the  object 
of  my  earnest  endeavors ;  and  notwithstanding  the  diffi 
culties  of  the  task,  I  do  not  allow  myself  to  apprehend 
unfavorable  results.  Blessed  as  our  country  is,  with 
every  thing  which  constitutes  national  strength,  she  is  ful 
ly  adequate  to  the  maintenance  of  all  her  interests.  In 
discharging  the  responsible  trust  confided  to  the  executive 
in  this  respect,  it  is  my  settled  purpose  to  ask  nothing 
that  is  not  clearly  right,  and  to  submit  to  nothing  that  is 
wrong ;  and  I  flatter  myself,  that,  supported  by  the  other 
branches  of  the  government,  and  by  the  intelligence  and 
patriotism  of  the  people,  we  shall  be  able,  tinder  the  pro 
tection  of  Providence,  to  cause  all  our  just  rights  to  be 
respected. 

"  Of  the  unsettled  matters  between  the  United  States 
and  other  powers,  the  most  prominent  are  those  which 
have,  for  years,  been  the  subject  of  negotiation  with  Eng 
land,  France,  and  Spain.  The  late  periods  at  which  our 
ministers  to  those  governments  left  the  United  States,  ren 
der  it  impossible,  at  this  early  day,  to  inform  you  of  what 
has  been  done  on  the  subjects  with  which  they  have  been 
respectively  charged.  Relying  upon  the  justice  of  our 
views  in  relation  to  the  points  committed  to  negotiation, 
and  the  reciprocal  good  feeling  which  characterizes  our 
intercourse  with  those  nations,  we  have  the  best  reason 
to  hope  for  a  satisfactory  adjustment  of  existing  differ 
ences. 

**  With  Great  Britain,  alike  distinguished  in  peace  and 
war,  we  may  look  forward  to  years  of  peaceful,  honora- 


324  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

ble,  and  elevated  competition.  Every  thing  in  the  con 
dition  and  history  of  the  two  nations  is  calculated  to  in 
spire  sentiments  of  mutual  respect,  and  to  carry  convic 
tion  to  the  minds  of  both,  that  it  is  their  policy  to  preserve 
the  most  cordial  relations  :  such  are  my  own  views,  and 
it  is  not  to  be  doubted  that  such  are  also  the  prevailing 
sentiments  of  our  constituents.  Although  neither  time 
nor  opportunity  has  been  afforded  for  a  full  development 
of  the  policy  which  the  present  cabinet  of  Great  Britain 
designs  to  pursue  towards  this  country,  I  indulge  the 
hope  that  it  will  be  of  a  just  and  pacific  character ;  and 
if  this  anticipation  be  realized,  we  may  look  with  confi 
dence  to  a  speedy  and  acceptable  adjustment  of  our  affairs. 
"  Under  the  convention  for  regulating  the  reference  to 
arbitration  of  the  disputed  points  of  boundary  under  the 
fifth  article  of  the  treaty  of  Ghent,  the  proceedings  have 
hitherto  been  conducted  in  that  spirit  of  candor  and  libe 
rality  which  ought  ever  to  characterize  the  acts  of  sove 
reign  states,  seeking  to  adjust,  by  the  most  unexceptionable 
means,  important  and  delicate  subjects  of  contention. — 
The  first  statements  of  the  parties  have  been  exchanged, 
and  the  final  replication,  on  our  part,  is  in  a  course  of 
preparation.  This  subject  has  received  the  attention  de 
manded  by  its  great  and  peculiar  importance  to  a  patrio 
tic  member  of  this  confederacy.  The  exposition  of  our 
rights,  already  made,  is  such  as,  from  the  high  reputa 
tion  of  the  commissioners  by  whom  it  has  been  prepared, 
we  had  a  right  to  expect.  Our  interests  at  the  court  of 
the  sovereign  who  has  evinced  his  friendly  disposition, 
by  assuming  the  delicate  task  of  arbitration,  have  been 
committed  to  a  citizen  of  the  state  of  Maine,  whose  cha 
racter,  talents,  and  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  sub 
ject,  eminently  qualify  him  for  so  responsible  a  trust. 
With  full  confidence  in  the  justice  of  our  cause,  and  in 
the  probity,  intelligence,  and  uncompromising  indepen- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  325 

dence  of  the  illustrious  arbitrator,  we  can  have  nothing  to 
apprehend  from  the  result. 

"  From  France,  our  ancient  ally,  we  have  a  right  to  ex 
pect  that  justice  which  becomes  the  sovereign  of  a  power 
ful,  intelligent,  and  magnanimous  people.  The  beneficial 
effects  produced  by  the  commercial  convention  of  1822, 
limited  as  are  its  provisions,  are  too  obvious  not  to  make 
a  salutary  impression  upon  the  minds  of  those  who  are 
charged  with  the  administration  of  her  government. — 
Should  this  result  induce  a  disposition  to  embrace,  to 
their  full  extent,  the  wholesome  principles  which  consti 
tute  our  commercial  policy,  our  minister  to  that  court 
will  be  found  instructed  to  cherish  such  a  disposition,  and 
to  aid  in  conducting  it  to  useful  practical  conclusions. 
The  claims  of  our  citizens  for  depredations  upon  their 
property,  long  since  committed  under  the  authority,  and, 
in  many  instances,  by  the  express  direction,  of  the  then 
existing  government  of  France,  remain  unsatisfied ;  and 
must,  therefore,  continue  to  furnish  a  subject  of  unplea 
sant  discussion,  and  possible  collision,  between  the  two 
governments.  I  cherish,  however,  a  lively  hope,  found 
ed  as  well  on  the  validity  of  those  claims,  and  the  estab 
lished  policy  of  all  enlightened  governments,  as  on  the 
known  integrity  of  the  French  monarch,  that  the  injuri 
ous  delays  of  the  past  will  find  redress  in  the  equity  of 
the  future.  Our  minister  has  been  instructed  to  press 
these  demands  on  the  French  government  with  all  the 
earnestness  which  is  called  for  by  their  importance  and  ir 
refutable  justice ;  and  in  a  spirit  that  will  evince  the  re 
spect  which  is  due  to  the  feelings  of  those  from  whom  the 
satisfaction  is  required. 

"  Our  minister  recently  appointed  to  Spain  has  been 
authorized  to  assist  in  removing  evils  alike  injurious  to 
both  countries,  either  by  concluding  a  commercial  con 
vention,  upon  liberal  and  reciprocal  terms  ;  or  by  urging 
28 


326  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

the  acceptance,  in  their  full  extent,  of  the  mutually  bene 
ficial  provisions  of  our  navigation  acts.  He  has  also  been 
instructed  to  make  a  further  appeal  to  the  justice  of  Spain, 
in  behalf  of  our  citizens,  for  indemnity  for  spoliations  up 
on  our  commerce,  committed  under  her  authority — an 
appeal  which  the  pacific  and  liberal  course  observed  on 
our  part,  and  a  due  confidence  in  the  honor  of  that  go 
vernment,  authorize  us  to  expect  will  not  be  made  in 
vain. 

"  With  other  European  powers,  our  intercourse  is  on 
the  most  friendly  footing.  In  Russia,  placed  by  her  ter 
ritorial  limits,  extensive  population,  and  great  power, 
high  in  the  rank  of  nations,  the  United  States  have  al 
ways  found  a  steadfast  friend.  Although  her  recent  in 
vasion  of  Turkey  awakened  a  lively  sympathy  for  those 
who  were  exposed  to  the  desolations  of  war,  we  cannot 
but  anticipate  that  the  result  will  prove  favorable  to  the 
cause  of  civilization,  and  to  the  progress  of  human  hap 
piness.  The  treaty  of  peace  between  these  powers  hav 
ing  been  ratified,  we  cannot  be  insensible  to  the  great 
benefit  to  be  derived  by  the  commerce  of  the  United 
States,  from  unlocking  the  navigation  of  the  Black  Sea — 
a  free  passage  into  which  is  secured  to  all  merchant  ves 
sels  bound  to  ports  of  Russia  under  a  flag  at  peace  with 
the  Porte.  This  advantage,  enjoyed,  upon  conditions,  by 
most  of  the  powers  of  Europe,  has  hitherto  been  with 
held  from  us.  During  the  past  summer,  an  antecedent, 
but  unsuccessful  attempt  to  obtain  it,  was  renewed  under 
circumstances  which  promised  the  most  favorable  results. 
Although  these  results  have  fortunately  been  thus  in  part 
attained,  further  facilities  to  the  enjoyment  of  this  new 
field  for  the  enterprise  of  our  citizens  are,  in  my  opinion, 
sufficiently  desirable  to  insure  to  them  our  most  zealous 
attention. 

"  Our  trade  with  Austria,  although  of  secondary  impor- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  327 

tance,  has  been  gradually  increasing;  and  is  now  so  ex 
tended,  as  to  deserve  the  fostering  care  of  the  government. 
A  negotiation,  commenced  and  nearly  completed  with  that 
power,  by  the  late  administration,  has  been  consummated 
by  a  treaty  of  amity,  navigation,  and  commerce,  which  will 
be  laid  before  the  senate. 

**  During  the  recess  of  congress,  our  diplomatic  relations 
with  Portugal  have  been  resumed.  The  peculiar  state  of 
things  in  that  country,  caused  a  suspension  of  the  recog 
nition  of  the  representative  who  presented  himself,  until 
an  opportunity  was  had  to  obtain  from  our  official  organ 
there,  information  regarding  the  actual,  and  as  far  as  prac 
ticable,  prospective,  condition  of  the  authority  by  which 
the  representative  in  question  was  appointed. — This  infor 
mation  being  received,  the  application  of  the  established 
rule  of  our  government,  in  like  cases,  was  no  longer  with 
held. 

"  Considerable  advances  have  been  made,  during  the 
present  year,  in  the  adjustment  of  claims  of  our  citizens 
upon  Denmark  for  spoliations ;  but  all  that  we  have  a 
right  to  demand  from  that  government,  in  their  behalf, 
has  not  yet  been  conceded.  From  the  liberal  footing, 
however,  upon  which  this  subject  has,  with  the  approba 
tion  of  the  claimants,  been  placed  by  the  government,  to 
gether  with  the  uniformly  just  and  friendly  disposition 
which  has  been  evinced  by  his  Danish  majesty,  there  is  a 
reasonable  ground  to  hope  that  this  single  subject  of  dif 
ference  will  speedily  be  removed. 

"  Our  relations  with  the  Barbary  powers  continue,  as 
they  have  long  been,  of  the  most  favorable  character. 
The  policy  of  keeping  an  adequate  force  in  the  Mediter 
ranean,  as  security  for  the  continuance  of  this  tranquillity, 
will  be  persevered  in ;  as  well  as  a  similar  one  for  the 
protection  of  our  commerce  and  fisheries  in  the  Pacific. 

"  The  southern  republics,  of  our  own  hemisphere,  have 


328  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

not  yet  realized  all  the  advantages  for  which  they  have 
been  so  long  struggling.  We  trust,  however,  that  the 
day  is  not  distant,  when  the  restoration  of  peace  and  in 
ternal  quiet,  under  permanent  systems  of  government,  se 
curing  the  liberty,  and  promoting  the  happiness  of  the 
citizens,  will  crown,  with  complete  success,  their  long  and 
arduous  efforts  in  the  cause  of  self-government,  and  ena 
ble  us  to  salute  them  as  friendly  rivals  in  all  that  is  truly 
great  and  glorious. 

"  The  recent  invasion  of  Mexico,  and  the  effect  thereby 
produced  upon  her  domestic  policy,  must  have  a  controll 
ing  influence  upon  the  great  question  of  South  American 
emancipation.  We  have  seen  the  fell  spirit  of  civil  dis 
sension  rebuked,  and,  perhaps,  forever  stifled  in  that  re 
public,  by  the  love  of  independence.  If  it  be  true,  as  ap 
pearances  strongly  indicate,  that  the  spirit  of  independence 
is  the  master  spirit,  and  if  a  corresponding  sentiment  pre 
vails  in  the  other  states,  this  devotion  to  liberty  cannot  be 
without  a  proper  effect  upon  the  counsels  of  the  mother 
country.  The  adoption,  by  Spain,  of  a  pacific  policy  to 
wards  her  former  colonies — an  event  consoling  to  human 
ity,  and  a  blessing  to  the  world,  in  which  she  herself  can- 
HC!  fill!  lUTsCly  tC  participate — may  be  meet  leasonaoiy  ex 
pected. 

"  The  claims  of  our  citizens  upon  the  South  American 
governments,  generally,  are  in  a  train  of  settlement ;  while 
the  principal  part  of  those  upon  Brazil  have  been  adjust 
ed,  and  a  decree  in  council,  ordering  bonds  to  be  issued 
by  the  minister  of  the  treasury  for  their  amount,  has  re 
ceived  the  sanction  of  his  imperial  majesty.  This  event, 
together  with  the  exchange  of  the  ratifications  of  the  trea 
ty  negotiated  and  concluded  in  1828,  happily  terminates 
all  serious  causes  of  difference  with  that  power. 

"  Measures  have  been  taken  to  place  our  commercial 
relations  with  Peru  upon  a  better  fpoting  than  that  upon 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  329 

which  they  have  hitherto  rested ;  and  if  met  by  a  proper 
disposition  on  the  part  of  that  government,  important  be 
nefits  may  be  secured  to  both  countries. 

"  Deeply  interested  as  we  are  in  the  prosperity  of  our 
sister  republics,  and  more  particularly  in  that  of  our  im 
mediate  neighbor,  it  would  be  most  gratifying  to  me,  were 
I  permitted  to  say,  that  the  treatment  which  we  have  re 
ceived  at  her  hands  has  been  as  universally  friendly  as  the 
early  and  constant  solicitude  manifested  by  the  United 
States  for  her  success  gave  us  a  right  to  expect.  But  it 
becomes  my  duty  to  inform  you  that  prejudices,  long  in 
dulged  by  a  portion  of  the  inhabitants  of  Mexico  against 
the  envoy  extraordinary  and  minister  plenipotentiary  of 
the  United  States,  have  had  an  unfortunate  influence  upon 
the  affairs  of  the  two  countries,  and  have  diminished  that 
usefulness  to  its  own  which  was  justly  to  be  expected  from 
his  talents  and  zeal.  To  this  cause,  in  a  great  degree,  is 
to  be  imputed  the  failure  of  several  measures  equally  in 
teresting  to  both  parties ;  but  particularly  that  of  the  Mex 
ican  government  to  ratify  a  treaty  negotiated  and  conclud 
ed  in  its  own  capital  and  under  its  own  eye.  Under  these 
circumstances,  it  appeared  expedient  to  give  to  Mr.  Pom- 
sett  the  option  either  to  return  or  not,  as,  in  his  judgment, 
the  interest  of  his  country  might  require  ;  and  instructions 
to  that  end  were  prepared  ;  but,  before  they  could  be  dis 
patched,  a  communication  was  received  from  the  govern 
ment  of  Mexico,  through  its  charge  d'affaires  here,  request 
ing  the  recall  of  our  minister.  This  was  promptly  com 
plied  with ;  and  a  representative  of  a  rank  corresponding 
with  that  of  the  Mexican  diplomatic  agent  near  this  go 
vernment  was  appointed.  Our  conduct  towards  that  re 
public  has  been  uniformly  of  the  most  friendly  character ; 
and  having  thus  removed  the  only  alledged  obstacle  to  har 
monious  intercourse,  I  cannot  but  hope  that  an  advanta 
geous  change  will  occur  in  our  affairs. 
28* 


330  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

"  Injustice  to  Mr.  Poinsett,  it  is  proper  to  say,  that  my 
immediate  compliance  with  the  application  for  his  recall, 
and  the  appointment  of  his  successor,  are  not  to  be  as 
cribed  to  any  evidence  that  the  imputation  of  an  improper 
interference  by  him,  in  the  local  politics  of  Mexico,  was 
well  founded ;  nor  to  a  want  of  confidence  in  his  talents 
or  integrity  ;  and  to  add,  that  the  truth  of  that  charge  has 
never  been  affirmed  by  the  federal  government  of  Mexi 
co,  in  its  communication  with  this. 

"  I  consider  it  one  of  the  most  urgent  of  my  duties  to 
bring  to  your  attention  the  propriety  of  amending  that 
part  of  our  constitution  which  relates  to  the  election  of 
president  and  vice  president.  Our  system  of  government 
was,  by  its  framers,  deemed  an  experiment  ;  and  they, 
therefore,  consistently  provided  a  mode  of  remedying  its 
defects. 

"  To  the  people  belongs  the  right  of  electing  their  chief 
magistrate  :  it  was  never  designed  that  their  choice  should, 
in  any  case,  be  defeated,  either  by  the  intervention  of  elec 
toral  colleges,  or  by  the  agency  confided,  under  certain 
contingencies,  to  the  house  of  representatives.  Experi 
ence  proves,  that,  in  proportion  as  agents  to  execute  the 
will  of  the  people  are  multiplied,  there  is  danger  of  their 
wishes  being  frustrated.  Some  may  be  unfaithful ;  all  are 
liable  to  err.  So  far,  therefore,  as  the  people  can,  with 
convenience,  speak,  it  is  safer  for  them  to  express  their 
own  will. 

"  The  number  of  aspirants  to  the  presidency,  and  the 
diversity  of  the  interests  which  may  influence  their  claims, 
leave  little  reason  to  expect  a  choice  in  the  first  instance  : 
and,  in  that  event,  the  election  must  devolve  on  the  house 
of  representatives,  where,  it  is  obvious,  the  will  of  the  peo 
ple  may  not  be  always  ascertained  ;  or,  if  ascertained, 
may  not  be  regarded.  From  the  mode  of  voting  by  states, 
the  choice  is  to  be  made  by  twenty-four  votes  ;  and  it  may 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  331 

often  occur,  that  one  of  these  may  be  controlled  by  an  in 
dividual  representative.  Honors  and  offices  are  at  the 
disposal  of  the  successful  candidate.  Repeated  ballotings 
may  make  it  apparent  that  a  single  individual  holds  the 
cast  in  his  hand.  May  he  not  be  tempted  to  name  his  re 
ward  ?  But  even  without  corruption — supposing  the  pro 
bity  of  the  representative  to  be  proof  against  the  powerful 
motives  by  which  he  may  be  assailed — the  will  of  the 
people  is  still  constantly  liable  to  be  misrepresented.  One 
may  err  from  ignorance  of  the  wishes  of  his  constituents  : 
another,  from  a  conviction  that  it  is  his  duty  to  be  govern 
ed  by  his  own  judgment  of  the  fitness  of  the  candidates : 
finally,  although  all  were  inflexibly  honest — all  accurate 
ly  informed  of  the  wishes  of  their  constituents — yet,  un 
der  the  present  mode  of  election,  a  minority  may  often 
elect  a  president :  and  when  this  happens,  it  may  reason 
ably  be  expected  that  efforts  will  be  made  on  the  part  of 
the  majority  to  rectify  this  injurious  operation  of  their 
institutions.  But  although  no  evil  of  this  character  should 
result  from  such  a  perversion  of  the  first  principle  of  our 
system — that  the  majority  is  to  govern — it  must  be  very 
certain  that  a  president  elected  by  a  minority  cannot  en 
joy  the  confidence  necessary  to  the  successful  discharge 
of  his  duties. 

"  In  this,  as  in  all  other  matters  of  public  concern,  po 
licy  requires  that  as  few  impediments  as  possible  should 
exist  to  the  free  operation  of  the  public  will.  Let  us, 
then,  endeavor  so  to  amend  our  system,  that  the  office  of 
chief  magistrate  may  not  be  conferred  upon  any  citizen 
but  in  pursuance  of  a  fair  expression  of  the  will  of  the 
majority. 

"  I  would  therefore  recommend  such  an  amendment  of 
the  constitution  as  may  remove  all  intermediate  agency  in 
the  election  of  president  and  vice  president.  The  mode 
may  be  so  regulated  as  to  preserve  to  each  state  its  pre- 


332  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

sent  relative  weight  in  the  election  ;  and  a  failure  in  the 
first  attempt  may  be  provided  for,  by  confining  the  second 
to  a  choice  between  the  two  highest  candidates.  In  con 
nexion  with  such  an  amendment,  it  would  seem  advisable 
to  limit  the  service  of  the  chief  magistrate  to  a  single 
term,  of  either  four  or  six  years.  If,  however,  it  should 
not  be  adopted,  it  is  worthy  of  consideration  whether  a 
provision  disqualifying  for  office  the  representatives  in 
congress  on  whom  such  an  election  may  have  devolved, 
would  not  be  proper. 

"  While  members  of  congress  can  be  constitutionally 
appointed  to  offices  of  trust  and  profit,  it  will  be  the  prac 
tice,  even  under  the  most  conscientious  adherence  to  duty, 
to  select  them  for  such  stations  as  they  are  believed  to  be 
better  qualified  to  fill  than  other  citizens  ;  but  the  purity 
of  our  government  would  doubtless  be  promoted  by  their 
exclusion  from  all  appointments  in  the  gift  of  the  presi 
dent  in  whose  election  they  may  have  been  officially  con 
cerned.  The  nature  of  the  judicial  office,  and  the  neces 
sity  of  securing  in  the  cabinet  and  in  diplomatic  stations 
of  the  highest  rank,  the  best  talents  and  political  experi 
ence,  should,  perhaps,  except  these  from  the  exclusion. 

"  There  are  perhaps  few  men  who  can  for  any  great 
length  of  time  enjoy  office  and  power,  without  being  more 
or  less  under  the  influence  of  feelings  unfavorable  to  a 
faithful  discharge  of  their  public  duties.  Their  integrity 
may  be  proof  against  improper  considerations  immediate 
ly  addressed  to  themselves  ;  but  they  are  apt  to  acquire  a 
habit  of  looking  with  indifference  upon  the  public  inter 
ests,  and  of  tolerating  conduct  from  which  an  unpractised 
man  would  revolt.  Office  is  considered  as  a  species  of 
property ;  and  government,  rather  as  a  means  of  promot 
ing  individual  interests,  than  as  an  instrument  created 
solely  for  the  service  of  the  people.  Corruption  in  some, 
and  in  others,  a  perversion  of  correct  feelings  and  princi- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  333 

pies,  divert  government  from  its  legitimate  ends,  and  make 
it  an  engine  for  the  support  of  the  few  at  the  expense  of  the 
many.  The  duties  of  all  public  officers  are,  or,  at  least, 
admit  of  being  made,  so  plain  and  simple,  that  men  of 
intelligence  may  readily  qualify  themselves  for  their  per 
formance  ;  and  I  cannot  but  believe  that  more  is  lost  by 
the  long  continuance  of  men  in  office,  than  is  generally  to 
be  gained  by  their  experience.  I  submit  therefore  to  your 
consideration,  whether  the  efficiency  of  the  government 
would  not  be  promoted,  and  official  industry  and  integrity 
better  secured,  by  a  general  extension  of  the  law  which 
limits  appointments  to  four  years. 

'*  In  a  country  where  offices  are  created  solely  for  the 
benefit  of  the  people,  no  one  man  has  any  more  intrinsic 
right  to  official  station  than  another.  Offices  were  not  es 
tablished  to  give  support  to  particular  men,  at  the  pnblic 
expense.  No  individual  wrong  is  therefore  done  by  re 
moval,  since  neither  appointment  to,  nor  continuance  in, 
office,  is  matter  of  right.  The  incumbent  became  an  offi 
cer  with  a  view  to  public  benefits  ;  and  when  these  require 
his  removal,  they  are  not  to  be  sacrificed  to  private  inter 
ests.  It  is  the  people,  and  they  alone,  who  have  a  right 
to  complain,  when  a  bad  officer  is  substituted  for  a  good 
one.  He  who  is  removed  has  the  same  means  of  obtain 
ing  a  living,  that  are  enjoyed  by  the  millions  who  never 
held  office.  The  proposed  limitation  would  destroy  the 
idea  of  property,  now  so  generally  connected  with  official 
station ;  and  although  individual  distress  may  be  some 
times  produced,  it  would,  by  promoting  that  rotation  which 
constitutes  a  leading  principle  in  the  republican  creed, 
give  healthful  action  to  the  system. 

"  No  very  considerable  change  has  occurred,  during 
the  recess  of  congress,  in  the  condition  of  either  our  agri 
culture,  commerce,  or  manufactures.  The  operation  of 
the  tariff  has  not  proved  so  injurious  to  the  two  former,  or 


334  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

as  beneficial  to  the  latter,  as  was  anticipated.  Importa 
tions  of  foreign  goods  have  not  been  sensibly  diminished ; 
while  domestic  competition,  under  an  illusive  excitement, 
has  increased  the  production  much  beyond  the  demand 
for  home  consumption.  The  consequences  have  been 
low  prices,  temporary  embarrassment,  and  partial  loss. 
That  such  of  our  manufacturing  establishments  as  are 
based  upon  capital,  and  are  prudently  managed,  will  sur 
vive  the  shock,  and  be  ultimately  profitable,  there  is  no 
good  reason  to  doubt. 

"  To  regulate  its  conduct,  so  as  to  promote  equally  the 
prosperity  of  these  three  cardinal  interests,  is  one  of  the 
most  difficult  tasks  of  government ;  and  it  may  be  regret 
ted  that  the  complicated  restrictions  which  now  embarrass 
the  intercourse  of  nations,  could  not  by  common  consent 
be  abolished,  and  commerce  allowed  to  flow  in  those 
channels  to  which  individual  enterprise — always  its  su 
rest  guide — might  direct  it.  But  we  must  ever  expect 
selfish  legislation  in  other  nations ;  and  are  therefore  com 
pelled  to  adapt  our  own  to  their  regulations,  in  the  man 
ner  best  calculated  to  avoid  serious  injury,  and  to  har 
monize  the  conflicting-  interests  of  our  agriculture,  our 
commerce,  and  our  manufactures.  Under  these  impres 
sions,  1  invite  your  attention  to  the  existing  tariff,  believ 
ing  that  some  of  its  provisions  require  modification. 

"  The  general  rule  to  be  applied  in  graduating  the  du 
ties  upon  articles  of  foreign  growth  or  manufacture,  is 
that  which  will  place  our  own  in  fair  competition  with 
those  of  other  countries  ;  and  the  inducements  to  advance 
even  a  step  beyond  this  point,  are  controlling  in  regard  to 
those  articles  which  are  of  primary  necessity  in  time  of 
war.  When  we  reflect  upon  the  difficulty  and  delicacy 
of  this  operation,  it  is  important  that  it  should  never  be 
attempted  but  with  the  utmost  caution.  Frequent  legisla 
tion  in  regard  to  any  branch  of  industry,  affecting  its  va« 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  335 

iue,  and  by  which  its  capital  may  be  transferred  to  new 
channels,  must  always  be  productive  of  hazardous  specu 
lation  and  loss. 

"  In  deliberating,  therefore,  on  these  interesting  sub 
jects,  local  feelings  and  prejudices  should  be  merged  in 
the  patriotic  determination  to  promote  the  great  interests 
of  the  whole..  All  attempts  to  connect  them  with  the 
party  conflicts  of  the  day  are  necessarily  injurious,  and 
should  be  discountenanced.  Our  action  upon  them  should 
be  under  the  control  of  higher  and  purer  motives.  Le 
gislation,  subjected  to  such  influence,  can  never  be  just ; 
and  will  not  long  retain  the  sanction  of  a  people,  whose 
active  patriotism  is  not  bounded  by  sectional  limits,  nor 
insensible  to  that  spirit  of  concession  and  forbearance, 
which  gave  life  to  our  political  compact,  and  still  sustains 
it.  Discarding  all  calculations  of  political  ascendency, 
the  north,  the  south,  the  east,  and  the  west,  should  unite 
in  diminishing  any  burthen,  of  which  either  may  justly 
complain. 

"  The  agricultural  interests  of  our  country  is  so  essen 
tially  connected  with  every  other,  and  so  superior  in  im 
portance  to  them  all,  that  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  invite 
to  it  your  particular  attention.  It  is  principally  as  manu 
factures  and  commerce  tend  to  increase  the  value  of  agri 
cultural  productions,  and  to  extend  their  application  to  the 
wants  and  comforts  of  society,  that  they  deserve  the  foster 
ing  care  of  government. 

"  Looking  forward  to  the  period,  not  far  distant,  when  a 
sinking  fund  will  no  longer  be  required,  the  duties  on  those 
articles  of  importation  which  cannot  come  in  competition 
with  our  own  productions,  are  the  first  that  should  engage 
the  attention  of  congress  in  the  modification  of  the  tariff 
Of  these,  tea  and  coffee  are  the  most  prominent :  they 
enter  largely  into  the  consumption  of  the  country,  and 
have  become  articles  of  necessity  to  all  classes.  A  re- 


336  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

duction,  therefore,  of  the  existing  duties,  will  be  felt  as  a 
common  benefit ;  but,  like  all  other  legislation  connected 
with  commerce,  to  be  efficacious,  and  not  injurious,  it 
should  be  gradual  and  certain. 

"  The  public  prosperity  is  evinced  in  the  increased  re 
venue  arising  from  the  sales  of  the  public  lands ;  and  in  the 
steady  maintenance  of  that  produced  by  imposts  and  ton 
nage,  notwithstanding  the  additional  duties  imposed  by 
the  act  of  19th  May,  1828,  and  the  unusual  importations 
in  the  early  part  of  that  year. 

"  The  balance  in  the  treasury,  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1829,  was  five  millions  nine  hundred  and  seventy -two 
thousand  four  hundred  and  thirty-five  dollars  and  eighty- 
one  cents.  The  receipts  of  the  current  year  are  estimated 
at  twenty-four  millions  six  hundred  and  two  thousand  two 
hundred  and  thirty  dollars,  and  the  expenditures  for  the 
same  time,  at  twenty-six  millions  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
four  thousand  five  hundred  and  ninety-five  dollars ;  leav 
ing  a  balance  in  the  treasury,  on  the  1st  of  January  next, 
of  four  millions  four  hundred  and  ten  thousand  and  seventy 
dollars  and  eighty-one  cents. 

"  There  will  have  been  paid,  on  account  of  the  public 
debt,  during  the  present  year,  the  sum  of  twelve  millions 
four  hundred  and  five  thousand  and  five  dollars  and  eigh 
ty  cents ;  reducing  the  whole  debt  of  the  government,  on 
the  first  of  January  next,  to  forty-eight  millions  five  hun 
dred  and  sixty-five  thousand  four  hundred  and  six  dollars 
and  fifty  cents,  including  seven  millions  of  five  per  cent, 
stock,  subscribed  to  the  bank  of  the  United  States.  The 
payment  on  account  of  the  public  debt,  made  on  the  first 
of  July  last,  was  eight  millions  seven  hundred  and  fifteen 
thousand  four  hundred  and  sixty-two  dollars  and  eighty- 
seven  cents.  It  was  apprehended  that  the  sudden  with 
drawal  of  so  large  a  sum  from  the  banks  in  which  it  was 
deposited,  at  a  time  of  unusual  pressure  in  the  money 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  337 

market,  might  cause  much  injury  to  the  interests  depend 
ent  on  bank  accomodations.  But  this  evil  was  wholly 
averted  by  an  early  anticipation  of  it  at  the  treasury,  aid 
ed  by  the  judicious  arrangements  of  the  officers  of  the  bank 
of  the  United  States. 

"  This  state  of  the  finances  exhibits  the  resources  of  the 
nation  in  an  aspect  highly  flattering  to  its  industry ;  and 
auspicious  of  the  ability  of  government,  in  a  very  short 
time,  to  extinguish  the  public  debt.  When  this  shall  be 
done,  our  population  will  be  relieved  from  a  considerable 
portion  of  its  present  burthens  ;  and  will  find,  not  only 
new  motives  to  patriotic  affection,  but  additional  means 
for  the  display  of  individual  enterprise.  The  fiscal  power 
of  the  states  will  also  be  increased  ;  and  may  be  more  ex 
tensively  exerted  in  favor  of  education  and  other  public 
objects :  while  ample  means  will  remain  in  the  federal  go 
vernment  to  promote  the  general  weal,  in  all  the  modes 
permitted  to  its  authority. 

"  After  the  extinction  of  the  public  debt,  it  is  not  pro 
bable  that  any  adjustment  of  the  tariff,  upon  principles  sa 
tisfactory  to  the  people  of  the  union,  will,  until  a  remote 
period,  if  ever,  leave  the  government  without  a  consider 
able  surplus  in  the  treasury,  beyond  what  may  be  requi 
red  for  its  current  service.  As  then  the  period  approaches 
when  the  application  of  the  revenue  to  the  payment  of 
debt  will  cease,  the  disposition  of  the  surplus  will  present 
a  subject  for  the  serious  deliberation  of  congress ;  and  it 
may  be  fortunate  for  the  country  that  it  is  yet  to  be  decided. 
Considered  in  connexion  with  the  difficulties  which  have 
heretofore  attended  appropriations  for  purposes  of  inter 
nal  improvement ;  and  with  those  which  this  experience 
tells  us  will  certainly  arise,  whenever  power  over  such 
subjects  may  be  exercised  by  the  general  government ; 
it  is  hoped  that  it  may  lead  to  the  adoption  of  some  plan 
which  will  reconcile  the  diversified  interests  of  the  states, 


338  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

and  strengthen  the  bonds  which  unite  them.  Every 
member  of  the  union,  in  peace  and  in  war,  will  be  bene 
fited  by  the  improvement  of  inland  navigation  and  the 
construction  of  highways  in  the  several  states.  Let  us 
then  endeavor  to  attain  this  benefit  in  a  mode  which  will 
be  satisfactory  to  all.  That  hitherto  adopted,  has,  by  many 
of  our  fellow-citizens,  been  deprecated  as  an  infraction 
of  the  constitution  ;  while  by  others  it  has  been  viewed  as 
inexpedient.  All  feel  that  it  has  been  employed  at  the  ex 
pense  of  harmony  in  the  legislative  councils. 

"  To  avoid  these  evils,  it  appears  to  me  that  the  most 
safe,  just  and  federal  disposition  which  could  be  made  of 
the  surplus  revenue,  would  be  its  apportionment  among 
the  several  states  according  to  their  ratio  of  representa 
tion  ;  and  should  this  measure  not  be  found  warranted  by 
the  constitution,  that  it  would  be  expedient  to  propose  to 
the  states  an  amendment  authorizing  it.  I  regard  an 
appeal  to  the  source  of  power,  in  cases  of  real  doubt,  and 
where  its  exercise  is  deemed  indispensable  to  the  general 
welfare,  as  among  the  most  sacred  of  all  our  obligations. 
Upon  this  country,  more  than  any  other,  has,  in  the  pro 
vidence  of  God,  been  cast  the  special  guardianship  of  the 
great  principle  of  adherence  to  written  constitutions.  If 
it  fail  here,  all  hope  in  regard  to  it  will  be  extinguished. 
That  this  was  intended  to  be  a  government  of  limited  and 
specific,  and  not  general  powers,  must  be  admitted  by  all ; 
and  it  is  our  duty  to  preserve  for  it  the  character  intended 
by  its  framers.  If  experience  points  out  the  necessity  for 
an  enlargement  of  these  powers,  let  us  apply  for  it  to  those 
for  whose  benefit  it  is  to  be  exercised ;  and  not  undermine 
the  whole  system  by  a  resort  to  overstrained  constructions. 
The  scheme  has  worked  well.  It  has  exceeded  the  hopes 
of  those  who  devised  it,  and  become  an  object  of  admira 
tion  to  the  world.  We  are  responsible  to  our  country, 
and  to  the  glorious  cause  of  self-government,  for  the  pre- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  339 

servation  of  so  great  a  good.  The  great  mass  of  legisla 
tion  relating  to  our  internal  affairs,  was  intended  to  be  left 
where  the  federal  convention  found  it, — in  the  state  go 
vernments.  Nothing  is  clearer,  in  my  view,  than  that  we 
are  chiefly  indebted  for  the  success  of  the  constitution  un 
der  which  we  are  now  acting,  to  the  watchful  and  auxili 
ary  operation  of  the  state  authorities.  This  is  not  the  re 
flection  of  a  day,  but  belongs  to  the  most  deeply  rooted 
convictions  of  my  mind.  I  cannot  therefore,  too  strongly 
or  too  earnestly,  for  my  own  sense  of  its  importance,  warn 
you  against  all  encroachments  upon  the  legitimate  sphere 
of  state  sovereignty.  Sustained  by  its  healthful  and  invi 
gorating  influence,  the  federal  system  can  never  fall. 

"  In  the  collection  of  the  revenue,  the  long  credits  au 
thorized  on  goods  imported  from  beyond  the  Cape  of 
Good  Hope  are  the  chief  cause  of  the  losses  at  present 
sustained.  If  these  were  shortened  to  six,  nine,  and 
twelve  months,  and  warehouses  provided  by  government, 
sufficient  to  receive  the  goods  offered  in  deposite  for  se 
curity  and  for  debenture ;  and  if  the  right  of  the  United 
States  to  a  priority  of  payment  out  of  the  estates  of  its  in 
solvent  debtors  were  more  effectually  secured, — this  evil 
would,  in  a  great  measure,  be  obviated.  An  authority  to 
construct  such  houses  is,  therefore,  with  the  proposed  al 
teration  of  the  credits,  recommended  to  your  attention. 

"  It  is  worthy  of  notice,  that  the  laws  for  the  collection 
and  security  of  the  revenue  arising  from  imposts,  were 
chiefly  framed  when  the  rates  of  duties  on  imported  goods 
presented  much  less  temptation  for  illicit  trade  than  at 
present  exists.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that  these  laws 
are,  in  some  respects,  quite  insufficient  for  the  proper  se 
curity  of  the  revenue,  and  the  protection  of  the  interests 
of  those  who  are  disposed  to  observe  them.  The  injuri 
ous  and  demoralizing  tendency  of  a  successful  system  of 
smuggling  is  so  obvious  as  not  to  require  comment,  and 


340  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

cannot  be  too  carefully  guarded  against.  I  therefore  sug 
gest  to  congress  the  propriety  of  adopting  efficient  mea 
sures  to  prevent  this  evil,  avoiding,  however,  as  much  as 
possible,  every  unnecessary  infringement  of  individual 
liberty,  and  embarrassment  of  fair  and  lawful  business. 

"  On  an  examination  of  the  records  of  the  treasury,   I 
have  been  forcibly  struck  with  the  large  amount  of  pub 
lic  money  which  appears  to  be  outstanding.     Of  the  sum 
thus    due  from  individuals  to  the   government,  a  consi 
derable  portion  is  undoubtedly  desperate  ;  and,   in  many 
instances,  has  probably  been  rendered  so  by  remissness 
in  the  agents  charged  with  its  collection.     By  proper  ex 
ertions,  a  great  part,  however,  may  yet  be  recovered  ;  and, 
whatever  may  be  the  portions  respectively  belonging  to 
these  two  classes,  it  behooves  the  government  to  ascertain 
the  real  state  of  the  fact.      This  can  be  done  only  by  the 
prompt  adoption  of  judicious  measures  for  the  collection 
of  such  as  may  be  made  available.      It  is  believed  that  a 
very  large  amount  has  been  lost  through  the  inadequacy 
of  the  means  provided  for  the  collection  of  debts  due  to 
the  public  ;  and  that  this   inadequacy  lies  chiefly  in  the 
want  of  legal  skill,  habitually  and  constantly  employed  in 
the  direction  of  the  agents  engaged  in  the  service.     It 
must,   I  think,  be  admitted,  that  the  supervisory  power 
over  suits  brought  by  the  public,  which  is  now  vested  in 
an  acco-unting  officer  of  the  treasury,  not  selected  with 
a  view  to  his  legal  knowledge,  and  incumbered  as  he  is 
with  numerous  other  duties,  operates  unfavorably  to  the 
public  interest. 

"  It  is  important  that  this  branch  of  the  public  service 
should  be  subjected  to  the  supervision  of  such  profession 
al  skill  as  will  give  it  efficiency.  The  expense  attendant 
upon  such  a  modification  of  the  executive  department, 
would  be  justified  by  the  soundest  principles  of  economy. 
I  would  recommend,  therefore,  that  the  duties  now  as- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  341 

signed  to  the  agent  of  the  treasury,  so  far  as  they  relate  to 
the  superintendence  and  management  of  legal  proceed 
ings,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  be  transferred  to 
the  attorney  general ;  and  that  this  officer  be  placed  on 
the  same  footing,  in  all  respects,  as  the  heads  of  the  other 
departments, — receiving  like  compensation,  and  having 
such  subordinate  officers  provided  for  his  department,  as 
may  be  requisite  for  the  discharge  of  these  additional  du 
ties.  The  professional  skill  of  the  attorney  general,  em 
ployed  in  directing  the  conduct  of  marshals  and  district 
attorneys,  would  hasten  the  collection  of  debts  now  in 
suit,  and  hereafter  save  much  to  the  government.  It  might 
be  further  extended  to  the  superintendence  of  all  criminal 
proceedings,  for  offences  against  the  United  States.  In 
making  this  transfer,  great  care  should  be  taken,  however, 
that  the  power  necessary  to  the  treasury  department  be  not 
impaired :  one  of  its  greatest  securities  consisting  in  a 
control  over  all  accounts,  until  they  are  audited  or  report 
ed  for  suit. 

**  In  connexion  with  the  foregoing  views,  I  would  sug 
gest,  also,  an  inquiry,  whether  the  provisions  of  the  act 
of  congress,  authorizing  the  discharge  of  the  persons  of 
debtors  to  the  government,  from  imprisonment,  may  not, 
consistently  with  the  public  interest,  be  extended  to  the 
release  of  the  debt,  where  the  conduct  of  the  debtor  is 
wholly  exempt  from  the  imputation  of  fraud.  Some  more 
liberal  policy  than  that  which  now  prevails,  in  reference 
to  this  unfortunate  class  of  citizens,  is  certainly  due  to 
them,  and  would  prove  beneficial  to  the  country.  The 
continuance  of  the  liability,  after  the  means  to  discharge 
it  have  been  exhausted,  can  only  serve  to  dispirit  the  debt 
or  ;  or,  where  his  resources  are  but  partial,  the  want  of 
power  in  the  government  to  compromise  and  release  the 
demand,  instigates  to  fraud,  as  the  only  resource  for  se 
curing  a  support  to  his  family.  He  thus  sinks  into  a  state 
29* 


342  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

of  apathy,  and  becomes  a  useless  drone  in  society,  or  a 
vicious  member  of  it,  if  not  a  feeling  witness  of  the  rigor 
and  inhumanity  of  his  country.  All  experience  proves, 
that  oppressive  debt  is  the  bane  of  enterprise ;.  and  it 
should  be  the  care  of  a  republic  not  to  exert  a  grinding 
power  over  misfortune  and  poverty. 

"  Since  the  last  session  of  congress,  numerous  frauds 
on  the  treasury  have  been  discovered,  which  I  thought  it 
my  duty  to  bring  under  the  cognizance  of  the  United 
States'  court  for  this  district,  by  a  criminal  prosecution. 
It  was  my  opinion,  and  that  of  able  counsel  who  were 
consulted,  that  the  cases  came  within  the  penalties  of  the 
act  of  the  17th  congress,  approved  3d  March,  1823,  pro 
viding  for  the  punishment  of  frauds  committed  on  the 
government  of  the  United  States.  Either  from  some  de 
fect  in  the  law,  or  in  its  administration,  every  effort  to 
bring  the  accused  to  trial,  under  its  provisions,  proved  in 
effectual  ;  and  the  government  was  driven  to  the  necessi 
ty  of  resorting  to  the  vague  and  inadequate  provisions  of 
the  common  law.  It  is  therefore  my  duty  to  call  your  at 
tention  to  the  laws  which  have  been  passed  for  the  pro 
tection  of  the  treasury.  If,  indeed,  there  be  no  provision 
by  which  those  who  may  be  unworthily  intrusted  with  its 
guardianship,  can  be  punished  for  the  most  flagrant  vio 
lation  of  duty,  extending  even  to  the  most  fraudulent  ap 
propriation  of  the  public  funds  to  their  own  use  ;  it  is  time 
to  remedy  so  dangerous  an  omission.  Or,  if  the  law  has 
been,  perverted  from  its  original  purposes,  and  criminals, 
deserving  to  be  punished  under  its  provisions,  have  been 
rescued  by  legal  subtleties  ;  it  ought  to  be  made  so  plain, 
by  amendatory  provisions,  as  to  bafile  the  arts  of  perver 
sion,  and  accomplish  the  ends  of  its  original  enactment. 

"  In  one  of  the  most  flagrant  cases,  the  court  decided 
that  the  prosecution  was  barred  by  the  statute  which  limits 
prosecution  for  fraud  to  two  years.  In  this  case  all  the 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  343 

evidences  of  the  fraud,  and  indeed  all  knowledge  that  a 
fraud  had  been  committed,  were  in  possession  of  the  party 
accused,  until  after  the  two  years  had  elapsed.  Surely 
the  statute  ought  not  to  run  in  favor  of  any  man,  while  he 
retains  all  the  evidences  of  his  crime  in  his  own  posses 
sion  ;  and,  least  of  all,  in  favor  of  a  public  officer  who 
continues  to  defraud  the  treasury,  and  conceal  the  trans 
action  for  the  brief  term  of  two  years.  I  would  therefore 
recommend  such  an  alteration  of  the  law  as  will  give  the 
injured  party  and  the  government  two  years  after  the  dis 
closure  of  the  fraud,  or  after  the  accused  is  out  -of  office, 
to  commence  their  prosecution. 

*'  In  connexion  with  this  subject,  I  invite  the  attention 
of  congress  to  a  general  and  minute  inquiry  into  the  con 
dition  of  the  government ;  Avith  a  view  to  ascertain  Avhat 
offices  can  be  dispensed  with,  what  expenses  retrenched, 
and  \vhat  improvements  may  be  made  in  the  organization 
of  its  various  parts,  to  secure  the  proper  responsibility  of 
public  agents,  a-nd  promote  efficiency  and  justice  in  all  its 
operations. 

"  The  report  of  the  secretary  of  war  will  make  you  ac 
quainted  with  the  condition  of  our  army,  fortifications, 
arsenals,  and  Indian  affairs.  The  proper  discipline  of 
the  army,  the  training  and  equipment  of  the  militia,  the 
education  bestowed  at  West  Point,  and  the  accumulation 
of  the  means  of  defence,  applicable  to  the  naval  force  ; 
will  tend  to  prolong  the  peace  we  now  enjoy,  and  which 
every  good  citizen — more  especially  those  who  have  felt 
the  miseries  of  even  a  successful  warfare — must  ardently 
desire  to  perpetuate. 

"  The  returns  from  the  subordinate  branches  of  this  ser 
vice,  exhibit  a  regularity  and  order  highly  creditable  to  its 
character  ;  both  officers  and  soldiers  seem  imbued  with  a 
proper  sense  of  duty,  and  conform  to  the  restraints  of  ex 
act  discipline^  with  that  cheerfulness  which  becomes  the 


344  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

profession  of  arms.  There  is  need,  however,  of  further 
legislation,  to  obviate  the  inconveniences  specified  in  the 
report  under  consideration ;  to  some  of  which  it  is  proper 
that  I  should  call  your  particular  attention. 

"  The  act  of  congress  of  the  2d  March,  1821,  to  reduce 
and  fix  the  military  establishment,  remaining  unexecuted 
as  it  regards  the  command  of  one  of  the  regiments  of  ar 
tillery,  cannot  no\v  be  deemed  a  guide  to  the  executive  in 
making  the  proper  appointment.  An  explanatory  act, 
designating  the  class  of  officers  out  of  which  this  grade 
is  to  be  filled — whether  from  the  military  list,  as  existing 
prior  to  the  act  of  1821,  or  from  it,  as  it  has  been  fixed 
by  that  act — would  remove  this  difficulty.  It  is  also  im 
portant  that  the  laws  regulating  the  pay  and  emoluments 
of  officers  generally,  should  be  more  specific  than  they 
now  are.  Those,  for  example,  in  relation  to  the  pay 
master  and  surgeon  general,  assign  to  them  an  annual 
salary  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  dollars,  but  are  si 
lent  as  to  allowances,  which,  in  certain  exigencies  of  the 
service,  may  be  deemed  indispensable  to  the  discharge  of 
their  duties.  This  circumstance  has  been  the  authority 
for  extending  to  them  various  allowances,  at  different 
times,  under  former  administrations  :  but  no  uniform  rule 
has  been  observed  on  the  subject.  Similar  inconveniences 
exist  in  other  cases,  in  which  the  construction  put  upon 
the  laws,  by  the  public  accountants,  may  operate  unequal 
ly,  produce  confusion,  and  expose  officers  to  the  odium, 
of  claiming  what  is  not  their  due. 

"  I  recommend  to  your  fostering  care,  as  one  of  your 
safest  means  of  national  defence,  the  military  academy. — 
This  institution  has  already  exercised  the  happiest  influ 
ence  upon  the  moral  and  intellectual  character  of  our  ar 
my  ;  and  such  of  the  graduates  as,  from  various  causes, 
may  not  pursue  the  profession  of  arms,  will  be  scarcely 
less  useful  as  citizens.  Their  knowledge  of  the  military 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  345 

art  will  be  advantageously  employed  in  the  militia  ser 
vice  ;  and  in  a  measure,  secure  to  that  class  of  troops  the 
advantages  which,  in  this  respect,  belong  to  standing  ar 
mies. 

"  I  would  also  suggest  a  review  of  the  pension  law,  for 
the  purpose  of  extending  its  benefits  to  every  revolution 
ary  soldier  who  aided  in  establishing  our  liberties,  and 
who  is  unable  to  maintain  himself  in  comfort.  These 
relics  of  the  war  of  independence  have  strong  claims 
upon  their  country's  gratitude  and  bounty.  The  law  is 
defective,  in  not  embracing  within  its  provisions  all  those 
who  were,  during  the  last  war,  disabled  from  supporting 
themselves  by  manual  labor.  Such  an  amendment  would 
add  but  little  to  the  amount  of  pensions,  and  is  called  for 
by  the  sympathies  of  the  people,  as  well  as  by  considera 
tions  of  sound  policy.  It  will  be  perceived  that  a  large 
addition  to  the  list  of  pensioners  has  been  occasioned  by 
an  order  of  the  late  administration,  departing  materially 
from  the  rules  which  had  previously  prevailed.  Consi 
dering  it  an  act  of  legislation,  I  suspended  its  operation 
as  soon  as  I  was  informed  that  it  had  commenced.  Be 
fore  this  period,  however,  applications  under  the  new  re 
gulation  had  been  preferred,  to  the  number  of  one  hun 
dred  and  fifty-four :  of  which,  on  the  27th  March,  the 
date  of  its  revocation,  eighty-seven  were  admitted.  For 
the  amount,  there  was  neither  estimate  nor  appropriation; 
and  besides  this  deficiency,  the  regular  allowances,  ac 
cording  to  the  rules  which  have  heretofore  governed  the 
department,  exceed  the  estimate  of  its  late  secretary,  by 
about  fifty  thousand  dollars  :  for  which  an  appropriation 
is  asked. 

"  Your  particular  attention  is  requested  to  that  part  of 
the  report  of  the  secretary  of  war,  which  relates  to  the 
money  held  in  trust  for  the  Seneca  tribe  of  Indians.  It 
will  be  perceived  that,  without  legislative  aid,  the  execu- 


346  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

tive  cannot  obviate  the  embarrassments  occasioned  by  the 
diminution  of  the  dividends  on  that  fund ;  which  origi 
nally  amounted  to  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  and 
has  recently  been  vested  in  United  States'  three  per  cent, 
stock. 

"  The  condition  and  ulterior  destiny  of  the  Indian  tribes 
within  the  limits  of  some  of  our  states,  have  become  ob 
jects  of  much  interest  and  importance.  It  has  long-  been 
the  policy  of  government  to  introduce  among  them  the 
arts  of  civilization,  in  the  hope  of  gradually  reclaiming 
them  from  a  wandering  life.  This  policy  has,  however, 
been  coupled  with  another,  wholly  incompatible  with  its 
success.  Professing  a  desire  to  civilize  and  settle  them, 
we  have,  at  the  same  time,  lost  no  opportunity  to  pur 
chase  their  lands,  and  thrust  them  further  into  the  wil 
derness.  By  this  means  they  have  not  only  been  kept  in 
a  wandering  state,  but  been  led  to  look  upon  us  as  unjust 
and  indifferent  to  their  fate.  Thus,  though  lavish  in  its 
expenditures  upon  the  subject,  government  has  constantly 
defeated  its  own  policy ;  and  the  Indians  in  general,  rece 
ding  further  and  further  to  the  west,  have  retained  their 
savage  habits.  A  portion,  however,  of  the  southern 
tribes,  having  mingled  much  with  the  whites,  and  made 
some  progress  in  the  arts  of  civilized  life,  have  lately 
attempted  to  erect  an  independent  government,  within  the 
limits  of  Georgia  and  Alabama.  These  states,  claiming 
to  be  the  only  sovereigns  within  their  territories,  extended 
their  laws  over  the  Indians  ;  which  induced  the  latter  to 
call  upon  the  United  States  for  protection. 

"  Under  these  circumstances,  the  question  presented 
was,  whether  the  general  government  had  a  right  to  sus 
tain  those  people  in  their  pretensions?  The  constitution 
declares,  that  '  no  new  state  shall  be  formed  or  erected 
within  the  jurisdiction  of  any  other  state,'  without  the 
consent  of  its  legislature.  If  the  general  government  is 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  347 

not  permitted  to  tolerate  the  erection  of  a  confederate  state 
within  the  territory  of  one  of  the  members  of  this  union, 
against  her  consent,  much  less  could  it  allow  a  foreign  and 
independent  government  to  establish  itself  there.  Georgia 
became  a  member  of  the  confederacy  which  eventuated  in 
our  federal  union,  as  a  sovereign  state,  always  asserting 
her  claim  to  certain  limits  ;  which  having  been  originally 
defined  in  her  colonial  charter,  and  subsequently  recog 
nized  in  the  treaty  of  peace,  she  has  ever  since  continued 
to  enjoy,  except  as  they  have  been  circumscribed  by  her 
own  voluntary  transfer  of  a  portion  of  her  territory  to  the 
United  States,  in  the  articles  of  cession  of  1802.  Alaba 
ma  was  admitted  into  the  union,  on  the  same  footing  with 
the  original  states,  with  boundaries  which  were  prescribed 
by  congress.  There  is  no  constitutional,  conventional,  or 
legal  provision,  which  allows  them  less  power  over  the 
Indians  within  their  borders,  than  is  possessed  by  Maine 
or  New  York.  Would  the  people  of  Maine  permit  the 
Penobscot  tribe  to  erect  an  independent  government  with 
in  their  state  ?  and  unless  they  did,  would  it  not  be  the 
duty  of  the  general  government  to  support  them  in  resist 
ing  such  a  measure  ?  Would  the  people  of  New  York 
permit  each  remnant  of  the  Six  Nations  within  her  bor 
ders,  to  declare  itself  an  independent  people  under  the 
protection  of  the  United  States  ?  Could  the  Indians  esta 
blish  a  separate  republic  on  each  of  their  reservations  in 
Ohio  ?  and  if  they  were  so  disposed,  would  it  be  the  duty 
of  this  government  to  protect  them  in  the  attempt  ?  If  the 
principle  involved  in  the  obvious  answer  to  these  questions 
be  abandoned,  it  will  follow  that  the  objects  of  this  govern 
ment  are  reversed ;  and  that  it  has  become  a  part  of  its 
duty  to  aid  in  destroying  the  states  which  it  was  establish 
ed  to  protect. 

"Actuated  by  this  view  of  the  subject,  I  informed  the 
Indians  inhabiting  parts  of  Georgia  and  Alabama,  that 


348  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

their  attempt  to  establish  an  independent  government 
would  not  be  countenanced  by  the  executive  of  the  United 
States  ;  and  advised  them  to  emigrate  beyond  the  Missis 
sippi,  or  submit  to  the  laws  of  those  states. 

"  Our  conduct  towards  these  people  is  deeply  interest 
ing  to  our  national  character.  Their  present  condition, 
contrasted  with  what  they  once  were,  makes  a  most 
powerful  appeal  to  our  sympathies.  Our  ancestors  found 
them  the  uncontrolled  possessors  of  these  vast  regions. 
By  persuasion  and  force,  they  have  been  made  to  retire 
from  river  to  river,  and  from  mountain  to  mountain  ; 
until  some  of  the  tribes  have  become  extinct,  and  others 
have  left  but  remnants  to  preserve,  for  a  while,  their  once 
terrible  names.  Surrounded  by  the  whites,  with  their 
arts  of  civilization,  which,  by  destroying  the  resources  of 
the  savage,  doom  him  to  weakness  and  decay  ;  the  fate 
of  the  Mohegan,  the  Narragansett,  and  the  Delaware,  is 
fast  overtaking  the  Choctaw,  the  Cherokee,  and  the 
Creek.  That  this  fate  surely  awaits  them,  if  they  remain 
within  the  limits  of  the  states,  does  not  admit  of  a  doubt. 
Humanity  and  national  honor  demand  that  every  effort 
should  be  made  to  avert  so  great  a  calamity.  It  is  too 
late  to  inquire  whether  it  was  just  in  the  United  States  to 
include  them  and  their  territory  within  the  bounds  of 
new  states  whose  limits  they  could  control.  That  step 
cannot  be  retraced.  A  state  cannot  be  dismembered  by 
congress,  or  restricted  in  the  exercise  of  her  constitutional 
power.  But  the  people  of  those  states,  and  of  every  state, 
actuated  by  feelings  of  justice,  and  regard  for  our  national 
honor,  submit  to  you  the  interesting  question,  whether 
something  cannot  be  done,  consistently  with  the  rights  of 
the  states,  to  preserve  this  much  injured  race  ? 

"  As  a  means  of  effecting  this  end,  I  suggest  for  your 
consideration,  the  propriety  of  setting  apart  an  ample 
district  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  without  the  limits  of 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  349 

any  state  or  territory,  now  formed,  to  be  guaranteed  to 
the  Indian  tribes,  as  long  as  they  shall  occupy  it :  each 
tribe  having  a  distinct  control  over  the  portion  designated 
for  its  use.  There  they  may  be  secured  in  the  enjoyment 
of  governments  of  their  own  choice,  subject  to  no  other 
control  from  the  United  States,  than  such  as  may  be 
necessary  to  preserve  peace  on  the  frontier,  and  between 
the  several  tribes.  There  the  benevolent  may  endeavor 
to  teach  them  the  arts  of  civilization ;  and  by  promoting 
union  and  harmony  among  them,  to  raise  up  an  interest 
ing  commonwealth,  destined  to  perpetuate  the  race,  and 
to  attest  the  humanity  and  justice  of  this  government. 

"  This  emigration  should  be  voluntary  :  for  it  would 
be  as  cruel  as  unjust  to  compel  the  aborigines  to  abandon 
the  graves  of  their  fathers,  and  seek  a  home  in  a  distant 
land.  But  they  should  be  distinctly  informed,  that  if  they 
remain  within  the  limits  of  the  states,  they  must  be  sub 
ject  to  their  laws.  In  return  for  their  obedience,  as  indi 
viduals,  they  will,  without  doubt,  be  protected  in  the  en 
joyment  of  those  possessions  which  they  have  improved 
by  their  industry.  But  it  seems  to  me  visionary  to  sup 
pose,  that,  in  this  state  of  things,  claims  can  be  allowed 
on  tracts  of  country  on  which  they  have  neither  dwelt 
nor  made  improvements,  merely  because  they  have  seen 
them  from  the  mountain,  or  passed  them  in  the  chase. 
Submitting  to  the  laws  of  the  states,  and  receiving,  like- 
other  citizens,  protection  in  their  persons  and  property, 
they  will,  ere  long,  become  merged  in  the  mass  of  our 
population. 

"  The  accompanying  report  of  the  secretary  of  the  navy 
will  make  you  acquainted  with  the  condition  and  useful 
employment  of  that  branch  of  our  service,  during  the  pre 
sent  year.  Constituting,  as  it  does,  the  best  standing  se 
curity  of  this  country  against  foreign  aggression,  it  claims 
the  especial  attention  of  government.  In  this  spirit,  the 


350  BIOGRAPHY   OF 

measures  which,  since  the  termination  of  the  last  war, 
have  been  in  operation  for  its  gradual  enlargement,  were 
adopted  ;  and  it  should  continue  to  be  cherished  as  the 
offspring  of  our  national  experience.  It  will  be  seen, 
however,  that,  notwithstanding  the  great  solicitude  which 
has  been  manifested  for  the  perfect  organization  of  this 
arm,  and  the  liberality  of  the  appropriations  which  that 
solicitude  has  suggested,  this  object  has,  in  many  import 
ant  respects  not  been  secured. 

"  In  time  of  peace,  we  have  need  of  no  more  ships  of 
war  than  are  requisite  to  the  protection  of  our  commerce. 
Those  not  wanted  for  this  object,  must  lay  in  the  harbors, 
where,  without  proper  covering,  they  rapidly  decay;  and, 
even  under  the  best  precautions  for  their  preservation, 
must  soon  become  useless.  Such  is  already  the  case  with 
many  of  our  finest  vessels  ;  which,  though  unfinished,  will 
now  require  immense  sums  of  money  to  be  restored  to 
the  condition  in  which  they  were  when  committed  to 
their  proper  element.  On  this  subject  there  can  be  but 
little  doubt  that  our  best  policy  would  be  to  discontinue 
the  building  of  ships  of  the  first  and  second  class,  and 
look  rather  to  the  possession  of  ample  materials,  prepared 
for  the  emergencies  of  war,  than  to  the  number  of  vessels 
which  we  can  float  in  a  season  of  peace,  as  the  index  of 
our  naval  power.  Judicious  deposites  in  navy  yards,  of 
timber  and  other  materials,  fashioned  under  the  hands  of 
skillful  workmen,  and  fitted  for  prompt  application  to  their 
various  purposes,  would  enable  us,  at  all  times,  to  con 
struct  vessels  as  fast  as  they  can  be  manned  ;  and  save  the 
heavy  expense  of  repairs,  except  to  such  vessels  as  must 
be  employed  in  guarding  our  commerce.  The  proper 
points  for  the  establishment  of  these  yards,  are  indicated 
with  so  much  force  in  the  report  of  the  navy  board,  that, 
in  recommending  it  to  your  attention,  I  deem  it  unneces 
sary  to  do  more  than  express  my  hearty  concurrence  in 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  351 

their  views.  The  yard  in  this  district,  being  already  fur 
nished  with  most  of  the  machinery  necessary  for  ship 
building,  will  be  competent  to  the  supply  of  the  two  se 
lected  by  the  board  as  the  best  for  the  concentration  of 
materials ;  and,  from  the  facility  and  certainty  of  com 
munication  between  them,  it  will  be  useless  to  incur,  at 
these  depots,  the  expense  of  similar  machinery,  especial 
ly  that  used  in  preparing  the  usual  metallic  and  wooden 
furniture  of  vessels. 

'*  Another  improvement  would  be  effected  by  dispens 
ing  altogether  with  the  navy  board,  as  now  constituted, 
and  substituting,  in  its  stead,  bureaus  similar  to  those  al 
ready  existing  in  the  war  department.  Each  member  of 
the  board,  transferred  to  the  head  of  a  separate  bureau, 
charged  with  specific  duties,  would  feel,  in  its  highest 
degree,  that  wholesome  responsibility  which  cannot  be  di 
vided  without  a  far  more  than  proportionate  diminution  of 
its  force.  Their  valuable  services  would  become  still  more 
so,  when  separately  appropriated  to  distinct  portions  of  the 
great  interests  of  the  navy  ;  to  the  prosperity  of  which  each 
wo«ld  bo  impelled  to  devote  himself  by  the  strongest  mo 
tives.  Under  such  an  anaiigcmcut,  every  branch  of  this 
important  service  would  assume  a  more  simple  and  precise 
character  ,  its  efficiency  would  be  increased,  and  scrupu 
lous  economy  in  the  expenditure  of  public  money  promoted. 

"  I  would  also  recommend  that  the  marine  corps  be 
merged  in  the  artillery  or  infantry,  as  the  best  mode  of 
curing  the  many  defects  in  its  organization,  But  little 
exceeding  in  number  any  of  the  regiments  of  infantry,  that 
corps  has,  besides  its  lieutenant  colonel  commandant,  five 
brevet  lieutenant  colonels,  who  receive  the  full  pay  and 
emoluments  of  their  brevet  rank,  without  rendering  pro 
portionate  service.  Details  for  marine  service  could  as 
well  be  made  from  the  infantry,  or  artillery — there  being1 
no  peculiar  training  requisite  for  it, 


352  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

"  With  these  improvements,  and  such  others  as  zeal 
ous  watchfulness  and  mature  consideration  may  suggest, 
there  can  be  little  doubt  that,  under  an  energetic  ad 
ministration  of  its  affairs,  the  navy  may  soon  be  made 
every  thing  that  the  nation  wishes  it  to  be.  Its  efficiency 
in  the  suppression  of  piracy  in  the  West  India  seas,  and 
wherever  its  squadrons  have  been  employed  in  securing 
the  interests  of  the  country,  will  appear  from  the  report 
of  the  secretary,  to  which  I  refer  you  for  other  interest 
ing  details.  Among  these,  I  would  bespeak  the  atten 
tion  of  congress  for  the  views  presented  in  relation  to 
the  inequality  between  the  army  and  navy  as  to  the  pay 
of  officers.  No  such  inequality  should  prevail  between 
these  brave  defenders  of  their  country ;  and  where  it  does 
exist,  it  is  submitted  to  congress  whether  it  ought  not  to 
be  rectified. 

"  The  report  of  the  postmaster  general  is  referred  to  as- 
exhibiting  a  highly  satisfactory  administration  of  that  de 
partment.  Abuses  have  been  reformed  ;  increased  ex 
pedition  in  the  transmission  of  the  mail  secured;  and  its 
rcventiK  muck  improved.  Tn  a  political  ponH  of  vleu, 
this  department  ic  uki^flj  ^u^uiium  as  affording  the 
means  of  diffusing-  knowledge.  It  is  to  the  body  politic 
what  the  veins  and  arteries  m*-  in  t]\f.  n.uuial,-  -^uji\e\'iuy 
rapidly  and  regularly,  to  the  remotest  parts  of  the  sys 
tem,  correct  information  of  the  operations  of  the  govern 
ment,  and  bringing  back  to  it  the  wishes  and  feelings  of 
the  people.  Through  its  agency,  we  have  secured  to 
ourselves  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  blessings  of  a  free 
press. 

"  In  this  general  survey  of  our  affairs,  a  subject  of  high 
importance  presents  itself  in  the  present  organization  of 
the  judiciary.  A  uniform  operation  of  the  federal  go 
vernment  in  the  different  states  is  certainly  desirable  ; 
and,  existing  as  they  do  in  the  union,  on  the  basis  of  per- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  353 

feet  equality,  each  state  has  a  right  to  expect  that  the 
benefits  conferred  on  the  citizens  of  others  should  be  ex 
tended  to  hers.  The  judicial  system  of  the  United  States 
exists  in  all  its  efficiency  in  only  fifteen  members  of  the 
union  :  to  three  others,  the  circuit  courts,  which  consti 
tute  an  important  part  of  that  system,  have  been  imper 
fectly  extended  :  and  to  the  remaining  six,  altogether  de 
nied.  The  effect  has  been  to  withhold  from  the  inhabi 
tants  of  the  latter  the  advantages  afforded  (by  the  supreme 
court)  to  their  fellow  citizens  in  other  states,  in  the  whole 
extent  of  the  criminal,  and  much  of  the  civil  authority  of 
the  federal  judiciary.  That  this  state  of  things  ought  to 
be  remedied,  if  it  can  be  done  consistently  with  the  public 
welfare,  is  not  to  be  doubted  ;  neither  is  it  to  be  disguised 
that  the  organization  of  our  judicial  system  is  at  once  a 
difficult  and  delicate  task.  To  extend  the  circuit  courts 
equally  throughout  the  different  parts  of  the  union,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  to  avoid  such  a  multiplication  of  mem 
bers  as  would  incumber  the  supreme  appellate  tribunal, 
is  the  object  desired.  Perhaps  it  might  be  accomplished 
by  dividing  the  circuit  judges  into  two  classes,  and  provi 
ding  that  the  supreme  court  should  be  held  by  those  classes 
alternately — the  chief  justice  always  presiding. 

"  If  an  extension  of  the  circuit  court  system  to  those 
states  which  do  not  now  enjoy  its  benefits,  should  be  de 
termined  upon,  it  would,  of  course,  be  necessary  to  re 
vise  the  present  arrangement  of  the  circuits  ;  and  even  if 
that  system  should  not  be  enlarged,  such  a  revision  is 
recommended. 

"  A  provision  for  taking  the  census  of  the  people  of 
the  United  States  will,  to  ensure  the  completion  of  that 
work  within  a  convenient  time,  claim  the  early  attention 
of  congress. 

"  The  great  and  constant  increase  of  business  in  the 
department  of  state,  forced  itself,  at  an  early  period,  upon 
30* 


354  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

the  attention  of  the  executive.  Thirteen  years  ago,  it 
was,  in  Mr.  Madison's  last  message  to  congress,  made 
the  subject  of  an  earnest  recommendation,  which  has 
been  repeated  by  both  of  his  successors  ;  and  my  compa 
ratively  limited  experience  has  satisfied  me  of  its  justness. 
It  has  arisen  from  many  causes,  not  the  least  of  which  is 
the  large  addition  that  has  been  made  to  the  family  of 
independent  nations,  and  the  proportionate  extension  of 
our  foreign  relations.  The  remedy  proposed  was  the 
establishment  of  a  home  department — a  measure  which 
does  not  appear  to  have  met  the  views  of  congress,  on 
account  of  its  supposed  tendency  to  increase  gradually, 
and  imperceptibly,  the  already  too  strong  bias  of  the 
federal  system  towards  the  exercise  of  authority  not  de 
legated  to  it.  I  am  not,  therefore,  disposed  to  revive  the 
recommendation  ;  but  am  not  the  less  impressed  with  the 
importance  of  so  organizing  that  department,  that  its  secre 
tary  may  devote  more  of  its  time  to  our  foreign  relations. 
Clearly  satisfied  that  the  public  good  would  be  promoted 
by  some  suitable  provision  on  the  subject,  I  respectfully 
invite  your  attention  to  it. 

"  The  charter  of  the  bank  of  the  United  States  expires 
in  1836,  and  its  stockholders  will  most  probably  apply 
for  a  renewal  of  their  privileges.  In  order  to  avoid  the 
evils  resulting  from  precipitancy  in  a  measure  involving 
such  important  principles,  and  such  deep  pecuniary  in 
terests,  I  feel  that  I  cannot,  in  justice  to  the  parties  in 
terested,  too  soon  present  it  to  the  deliberate  considera 
tion  of  the  legislature  and  the  people.  Both  the  consti 
tutionality  and  the  expediency  of  the  law  creating  this 
bank,  are  well  questioned  by  a  large  portion  of  our  fel 
low  citizens ;  and  it  must  be  admitted  by  all,  that  it  has 
failed  in  the  great  end  of  establishing  a  uniform  and 
sound  currency. 

"  Under  these  circumstances,  if  such  an  institution  is 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  355 

deemed  essential  to  the  fiscal  operations  of  the  govern 
ment,  I  submit  to  the  wisdom  of  the  legislature,  whether 
a  national  one,  founded  upon  the  credit  of  the  government 
and  its  revenues,  might  not  be  devised,  which  would  avoid 
all  constitutional  difficulties,  and  at  the  same  time  secure 
all  the  advantages  to  the  government  and  country  that 
were  expected  to  result  from  the  present  bank. 

"I  cannot  close  this  communication  without  bringing 
to  your  view  the  just  claim  of  the  representatives  of  Com 
modore  Decatur,  his  officers  and  crew,  arising  from  the 
re-capture  of  the  frigate  Philadelphia,  under  the  heavy 
batteries  of  Tripoli.  Although  sensible,  as  a  general 
rule,  of  the  impropriety  of  executive  interference  under 
a  government  like  ours,  where  every  individual  enjoys 
the  right  of  directly  petitioning  congress  ;  yet,  viewing 
this  case  as  one  of  a  very  peculiar  character,  I  deem  it 
my  duty  to  recommend  it  to  your  favorable  consideration. 
Besides  the  justice  of  this  claim,  as  corresponding  to  those 
which  have  been  since  recognized  and  satisfied,  it  is  the 
fruit  of  a  deed  of  patriotic  and  chivalrous  daring,  which 
infused  life  and  confidence  into  our  infant  navy,  and  con 
tributed,  as  much  as  any  exploit  in  its  history,  to  elevate 
our  national  character.  Public  gratitude,  therefore,  stamps 
her  seal  upon  it ;  and  the  meed  should  not  be  withheld 
which  may  hereafter  operate  as  a  stimulus  to  our  gallant 
tars. 

"  I  now  commend  you,  fellow  citizens,  to  the  guidance 
of  Almighty  God,  with  a  full  reliance  on  his  merciful 
Providence  for  the  maintenance  of  our  free  institutions ; 
and  with  an  earnest  supplication,  that,  whatever  errors 
it  may  be  my  lot  to  commit,  in  discharging  the  arduous 
duties  which  have  devolved  on  me,  will  find  a  remedy  in 
the  harmony  and  wisdom  of  your  counsels. 

ANDREW  JACKSON." 


356  BIOGRAPHY  OF 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Approbation  of  the  Message — Maysville  Road  Bill — 
Returned  to  the  House  by  General  Jackson,  with  his 
objections — Mr.  Barbour'1  s  defence  of  this  official  act 
— Meeting  of  Congress  in  1830 — General  Jackson1  s 
Message — Remarks  upon  it — Correspondence  between 
him  and  Mr.  Calhoun — Developments  made  by  that  cor 
respondence — Its  beneficial  results  to  General  Jackson. 

THE  message  of  President  Jackson  met  with  a  more 
gracious  reception,  from  the  political  party  which  opposed 
his  election,  than  could  have  been  anticipated,  from  the 
violent  animosity  they  had  uniformly  manifested  against 
him  and  his  acts.  It  was  indeed  a  production  of  distin 
guished  ability  ;  it  developed  with  clearness  the  policy 
that  would  be  pursued  by  the  administration,  and  the 
principles  on  which  its  measures  were  based.  General 
Jackson,  as  the  head  of  that  administration,  had  acquired 
for  himself  a  brilliant  reputation  in  serving  his  country; 
but  was  in  retirement  when  the  people  besought  him  to 
return  to  public  life.  He  had  yielded  to  their  ardent 
wishes  ;  but  his  election  had  been  resisted  by  all  the 
energies  that  could  be  put  in  motion  by  a  bold,  active 
opposition  party  in  power,  determined  on  the  prolongation 
of  it.  This  resistance  had  been  met  and  overcome  by 
the  combined  efforts  of  a  large  majority  of  the  American 
people,  acting  under  the  influence  which  had  enabled 
them,  in  1801,  to  achieve  a  similar  triumph  by  the  elec 
tion  of  Mr.  Jefferson. 

Thus  far  had  General  Jackson's  administration  answer- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  357 

ed  the  anticipations  of  its  friends ;  the  work  of  reform 
had  been  auspiciously  commenced ;  corruption,  which 
had  found  its  way  into  official  stations,  had  been  exposed 
and  punished ;  the  work  of  retrenchment  had  been  be 
gun  ;  the  constitution,  as  far  as  it  regarded  the  executive 
power,  was  correctly  expounded ;  in  short,  most  that  had 
been  cherished  and  admired  in  the  fortunate  administra 
tion  of  Jefferson,  was  renewed  in  that  of  Jackson. 

Many  questions,  of  deep  interest  to  the  American  union, 
came  before  this  session  of  our  national  congress.  But  no 
one  act  of  national  legislation  was  more  deeply  inter 
esting  to  the  people  of  the  United  States,  or  served  more 
admirably  to  show  the  firmness,  patriotism,  and  regard 
to  the  constitution,  by  General  Jackson,  than  the  bill 
which  originated  in  the  house  of  representatives,  and 
passed  that  house,  and  also  the  senate,  for  authorizing  a 
subscription  of  the  stock  of  the  Maysville  and  Washing 
ton  Turnpike  Road  Company,  in  Kentucky.  This  bill 
was  returned  to  the  house  from  which  it  originated,  with 
the  objections  of  the  president,  detailed  at  length,  against 

ito    p«*ootxg-o.  Iliu      J.^«o.»*»;«»g.o.      ol-xvrlj-    oTinood     tko     VlliCOn- 

si  iiutninnlily  of  thf».  hill,  anrl  flip,  injurious  tendency  of  its 
practical  operations,  and  tk<vy  i  received  a  COrdiai  ucijui- 

esr.enr.p.  from  a  large  majority  of  the  American  people. 

On  the  reconsideration  of  the  bill,  by  the  house,  several 
distinguished  members  ably  defended  this  official  act  of 
the  president.  We  have  room  only  for  an  extract  from 
a  speech  of  Mr.  P.  P.  Barbour,  on  that  occasion. 

"  Mr.  Speaker,  I  feel  impelled,  by  an  imperative  sense 
of  justice,  to  say  something  in  vindication  and  justifica 
tion  of  the  chief  magistrate  of  the  union,  against  the 
strong  animadversions  in  which  gentlemen  have  indul 
ged  towards  him,  because  he  has  dared  to  do  his  duty. 
If,  in  doing  this,  I  shall  use  the  language  of  commenda 
tion,  let  no  man  suppose  that  it  is  in  the  spirit  of  personal 


358  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

adoration.  I  never  have  been,  and  trust  in  God  I  never 
shall  be,  a  worshipper  of  men.  I  never  have  felt  the  in 
fluence  of  a  single  ray  of  executive  patronage. 

"  But  when  a  public  functionary,  at  a  period  of  great 
political  excitement,  like  the  present,  has  advanced  with 
a  firm  and  fearless  step,  to  the  discharge  of  his  public 
duty,  as  the  president  in  this  case  has  done,  'uncaring 
consequences,'  as  they  regarded  himself, — when,  by  this 
manly  and  independent  course,  he  has  contributed  essen 
tially  to  promote  the  happiness,  the  prosperity,  and  the 
best  interests  of  a  mighty  community  of  states — whilst  I 
will  do  no  homage  to  the  man,  I  must,  I  will  do  justice 
to  the  rare  and  distinguished  merit  of  the  officer  ;  and  if 
this  cannot  be  done,  without  ascribing  to  him  even  the 
highest  degree  of  praise,  then  that  praise  is  a  tribute  justly 
due  to  him,  and  which  I  most  cheerfully  pay. 

"  But  let  us  inquire,  what  has  the  president  done  which 
calls  forth  this  loud  complaint  ?  Why,  forsooth,  he  has 
dared  to  put  his  veto  upon  a  bill,  passed  by  both  houses  of 
congress,  and  has  returned  it  with  his  objections.  And 

has  it  r>nmo  to  tViic.   t>int  if    i«j    ^onco  o^  «~™ploiv>f,  tkcxt  tl\o 

chief  executive  magistrate,  constituting,  as  he  does,  a  co- 
vjidiiiciie  brancn  oi  tiie  lu^i^lat-urc,  luta  vcnt'urcd  to  perform 
his  constitutional  function,  in  dissenting  from  a  law,  \vhirh, 
in  his  judgment,  would  be  ruinous  in  its  consequences. 
Was  it  in  the  contemplation  of  those  who  framed  the  con 
stitution,  that  the  president  should  be  set  up  as  a  mere 
pageant,  with  powers  possessed  in  theory,  but  never  to  be 
reduced  to  practice ;  or  was  it  intended  that  this  veto  upon 
legislation,  like  every  other  power,  should  be  exercised, 
whensoever  the  occasion  should  occur  to  make  it  neces 
sary  ?  Do  not  gentlemen  perceive  that  they  might,  with 
as  much  reason,  complain,  that  the  senate  had  negatived 
one  of  our  bills  ?  for  they,  too,  are  only  a  co-ordinate  branch 
of  the  legislature,  as  is  the  executive  magistrate, 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  359 

"  Sir,  each  department,  and  every  branch  of  each  de 
partment  of  the  government,  has  its  appropriate  functions 
assigned.  The  country  expects  and  requires  every  one 
to  do  his  duty,  whether  it  consists  of  one  man  or  a  plu 
rality  of  men.  And  whosoever  shall  fail  to  do  so,  though 
he  may  hope  to  consult  his  own  safety,  by  an  avoidance 
of  responsibility,  will  find  that  he  has  forfeited  the  es 
teem  and  confidence  which  are  inevitably  awarded  by 
public  opinion,  to  firmness  and  fidelity  in  the  perform 
ance  of  public  trusts.  The  constitution  proceeds  upon 
the  idea  that  congress,  composed  of  the  senate  and  house 
of  representatives,  is  not  infallible.  It  has,  therefore, 
erected  the  additional  barrier  of  the  executive  veto,  against 
hasty  or  injudicious  action.  It  contemplates  that  veto  as 
countervailing  the  opinion  of  one  third  of  both  houses, 
because  its  interposition  makes  the  concurrence  of  two 
thirds  of  both  houses  necessary.  To  complain,  then,  of 
its  exercise,  is  to  quarrel  with  the  form  of  government 
under  which  we  live.  It  is  the  precise  reverse  of  a  com 
plaint  which  we  have  often  heard  of  in  a  European  mo 
narchy.  There  the  king  complained  whenever  the  par 
liament  refused  to  register  his  edicts.  Here  the  congress 
are  to  complain,  whenever  the  chief  magistrate  declines 
to  register  their  will. 

"  I  rejoice,  sir,  that  he  has  so  declined.  I  congratu 
late  my  country,  that,  in  this  instance,  the  chief  magis 
trate  has  displayed  as  much  of  moral,  as  he  heretofore 
did  of  physical  courage, — as  much  decision  and  energy 
in  the  cabinet,  as  he  heretofore  did  in  the  field  ;  by  which 
he  will,  in  some  degree  at  least,  arrest  the  progress  of  a 
system,  which,  in  its  unrestrained  career,  threatens  to 
produce  more  mischief  than  any  man,  either  in  or  out  of 
congress,  can  pretend  even  to  estimate. 

"  Mr.  Speaker,  I  heard  with  surprise,  nay,  with  asto 
nishment,  the  bitter,  the  acrimonious,  and  I  must  add,  the 


360  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

unjustifiable  invective,  which  the  member  from  Ohio  pour 
ed  forth,  in  a  torrent,  against  the  chief  magistrate  upon 
this  occasion.  The  main  purpose  of  the  gentleman  seem 
ed  to  be,  to  inculcate  the  opinion  that  the  rejection  of  the 
bill  in  question  was  with  a  view  to  acquiring  popularity. 
What,  sir,  an  attempt  at  popularity  !  Look  for  a  moment 
at  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  and  then  tell  me  if  this 
opinion  can  be  sustained. 

"  The  bill  was  not  only  carried  by  a  majority,  as  it 
must  have  been,  but  by  a  decisive  majority  of  both  houses 
of  congress.  Can  any  man  suppose  that  a  president,  who 
set  out  on  an  adventure  in  quest  of  popularity,  would 
make  his  first  experiment  against  a  question,  which,  by 
passing  both  houses  of  congress,  seemed  to  carry  with  it 
the  approbation  of  the  states  and  the  people  of  the  states  ? 
On  the  contrary,  if  he  were  going  for  himself,  rather 
than  for  his  country,  would  he  not,  by  approving  the  bill, 
have  just  floated  down  the  current  of  apparent  public 
opinion,  without  encountering  the  least  impediment  in  his 
course?  Instead  of  this,  sir,  what  has  he  done?  Regard 
ing  his  country  more  than  himself — looking,  with  an  eye 
that  never  winked,  to  the  public  good,  and  not  his  personal 
aggrandizement — he  has  withholden  his  approval  from  this 
bill,  which  was  a  favorite  bantling  with  a  majority  of  con 
gress  ;  he  has  thus  placed  himself  in  a  position  where  he 
has  to  win  his  way  to  public  approbation,  in  this  respect, 
under  adverse  circumstances,  as  the  mariner  who  has  to 
row  up  stream  against  wind  and  tide.  And  this  is  said  to 
be  seeking  after  popularity !  Credat  Judccus  Apclla. 
Sir,  it  is  any  thing  but  seeking  after  popularity,  in  the 
obnoxious  sense  in  which  that  expression  has  been  appli 
ed  to  him.  But  if  I  know  any  thing  of  the  character  of 
my  countrymen, — if  a  rare  example  of  political  integrity 
and  firmness  will  constitute  a  claim  to  their  esteem, — if 
disinterestedness  and  self-denial  be  any  evidence  of  virtue 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  361 

in  public  men, — then,  indeed,  without  seeking,  will  he 
have  found  popularity, — not  of  that  mushroom  kind  which 
is  acquired  without  merit,  and  lost  without  a  fault,  but 
that,  more  noble  kind  which  is  always  bestowed  by  all 
good  men,  as  the  just  reward  of  virtuous  actions,  and  is 
always  withholden  from  those  who,  without  deserving  it, 
endeavor  to  acquire  it." 

On  the  assembling  of  congress  in  December,  1830, 
General  Jackson  presented  his  second  message  to  the 
representatives  of  the  nation.  It  was  a  production  which 
admirably  sustained  the  high  reputation  of  its  immediate 
predecessor,  before  presented  to  the  reader.  It  elicited 
general  commendation  from  political  supporters  and  op 
ponents.  In  the  language  of  another,  "  it  abounds  with 
important  suggestions — some  of  them  new — all  of  them 
interesting — and  most  of  them  admirably  adapted  to  the 
interests  and  institutions  of  our  country.  It  presents  a 
most  pleasing  and  brilliant  sketch  of  our  foreign  rela 
tions.  Its  views  of  the  Indian  question,  are,  like  those 
of  the  former  message,  just  and  powerful  in  their  con 
ception  ;  beautiful  and  eloquent  in  their  expression.  He 
has  explained  and  expanded  the  principles  of  the  veto 
message — his  views  of  the  tariff  are  similar  to  those  he 
has  previously  expressed — asserting  the  constitutionality 
of  the  measure,  and  recommending  its  review,  modifica 
tion,  and  the  most  practicable  equalization  of  its  burthens. 
He  objects  to  the  present  bank  of  the  United  States,  and 
explains  the  principles  of  the  institution,  to  which  he  al 
luded  in  his  former  message.  There  are  just  and  elo 
quent  eulogiums  interspersed  through  the  message,  both 
upon  the  rights  of  the  states,  and  the  value  of  the  union." 

It  was  before  the  close  of  this  congressional  session,  that 

the  controversy  between  General  Jackson  and  Mr.  Cal- 

houn,  vice  president  of  the  United  States,  took  place,  which 

brought  out  on  the  part  of  the  latter,  a  voluminous  corres- 

31 


362  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

pondence  between  the  parties,  interested  in  the  subject  mat 
ter  of  dispute. 

"  It  was  a  matter  of  general  wonder,  that  a  man  pos 
sessing  Mr.  Calhoun's  tact  and  prudence,  should  have 
brought  a  subject  of  the  nature  of  this  correspondence 
before  the  public.  The  only  point  in  the  discussion,  ex 
cept  such  as  Mr.  Calhoun  had  himself  created,  was  alto 
gether  personal.  By  his  private  letters,  and  by  those  of 
Mr.  Monroe,  by  his  whole  public  conduct,  and  by  pub 
lications  in  the  newspapers,  General  Jackson  had  been 
led  to  believe,  that  Mr.  Calhoun  had  been  uniformly  his 
friend,  in  the  cabinet  of  Mr.  Monroe  as  well  as  out  of  it, 
vindicating  all  his  conduct  in  the  Seminole  campaign. 
Under  this  impression,  he  had  given  Mr.  Calhoun  his 
warmest  friendship  and  firmest  confidence  ;  compelled,  at 
length,  by  facts  and  circumstances,  to  doubt  the  sincerity 
of  his  supposed  ancient  friend,  he  determined  to  know 
the  truth  ;  with  this  view,  he  obtained,  in  an  authentic 
shape,  the  charges  which  had  been  made  of  Mr.  Cal 
houn's  course  in  the  cabinet,  so  different  from  what  he 
had  supposed,  submitted  them  directly  to  the  person  im 
plicated,  and  asked,  whether  they  were  true  ?  Mr.  Cal 
houn  admitted  their  truth.  General  Jackson  expressed 
his  surprise  at  the  admission,  and  said  that  Mr.  Calhoun 
had  pursued  a  course  of  duplicity  towards  him.  The 
latter  declared  the  charge  of  duplicity  to  be  unfounded. 
With  this  issue  the  correspondence  closed.  What  was 
there  in  this  which  required  an  appeal  to  the  public  ?  It 
was  a  mere  private  difference.  It  concerned  only  the 
bearing  of  the  two  gentlemen  towards  each  other." 

But  the  matter  has  been  brought  before  the  world,  and 
is,  therefore,  entitled  to  notice,  which  will  be  given  as 
briefly  as  the  subject  will  admit. 

"  Sometime  in  the  year  1826,  General  Jackson  was 
furnished  by  a  member  of  congress,  with  a  statement 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  363 

signed  by  Dr.  Wallace  of  Fredericksburg,  Virginia,  in 
which  Mr.  Southard,  the  secretary  of  the  navy,  was  re 
presented  as  having  remarked  in  that  place,  that  General 
Jackson  deserved  no  credit  for  the  defence  of  New  Or 
leans — that  he  had  left  the  army  without  orders,  and  was 
returning  home,  when  he  was  met  by  a  positive  order 
from  Mr.  Monroe,  then  secretary  of  war,  to  return  forth 
with  to  his  command — that  it  was  owing  to  his  order, 
and  the  active  preparations  made  by  Mr.  Monroe,  for  the 
security  of  that  portion  of  the  country,  that  General  Jack 
son  was  able  to  make  the  defence  he  did ;  and  therefore, 
that  the  merit  of  that  defence  was  due  to  Mr.  Monroe, 
and  not  to  General  Jackson.  These  remarks  were  so 
injurious  to  the  character  of  the  general,  and  unfounded 
in  fact,  that  he  felt  himself  bound  to  submit  them  to  Mr. 
Southard,  and  if  they  had  not  been  erroneously  stated, 
to  inquire  respectfully  on  what  authority  he  had  taken 
the  liberty  to  make  them.  The  secretary  replied  in  a 
very  long,  labored,  and  diplomatic  letter,  admitting  sub 
stantially  the  statement  of  Dr.  Wallace,  and  appealing  to 
what  he  called  the  history  of  the  times,  written,  printed, 
and  verbal,  as  his  authority  for  making  it.  The  general 
having  never  left  the  army  commanded  by  him  at  New 
Orleans,  or  slept  out  of  his  camp  when  he  had  one,  gave 
Mr.  Southard  such  an  answer  as  he  thought  truth  and 
justice  warranted  :  it  exposed  him,  however,  to  the  bitter 
est  assaults  from  his  political  opponents,  and  in  connexion 
with  the  conduction  of  the  Seminole  war,  became  the 
text  of  denunciations  against  him,  as  having  violated  his 
orders  and  the  constitution  of  his  country  in  both  cam 
paigns.  A  confidential  letter  written  to  Mr.  Monroe,  had 
also  a  place  in  the  subsequent  array  of  authority,  written, 
printed,  and  verbal,  against  him. 

"  Under  these  circumstances,  the  presses  still  violent 
against  him,  General  Jackson  was  toasted  at  the  celebra- 


364  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

tion  of  the  8th  January,  1827,  by  the  republicans  in  the 
city  of  Washington.  His  friend,  Judge  White  of  the 
senate,  being  present,  rose,  and  with  the  expression  of  his 
thanks  to  the  meeting,  added  a  few  remarks  upon  the 
character  and  services  of  the  general  as  a  response  to  the 
favorable  notice  which  had  been  taken  of  them.  These 
remarks  gave  offence  to  Mr.  Monroe,  as  was  manifested 
by  the  correspondence  on  the  subject  which  he  originated 
with  Judge  White  ;  of  which  General  Jackson  was  ad 
vised.  The  expression  was  also  public  and  common  soon 
after,  that  Mr.  Monroe  was  in  the  composition  of  a  book, 
the  tendency  of  which  would  confirm  the  prejudices  so 
industriously  circulated  against  General  Jackson  at  that 
time  for  political  purposes." 

"  About  this  period,  a  member  of  congress  enclosed  to 
General  Jackson  a  copy  of  a  letter,  purporting  to  be  from 
Mr.  Monroe  to  Mr.  Calhoun  (confidential,)  the  object,  of 
which  was  to  induce  Mr.  Calhoun  to  enter  into  a  friendly 
correspondence  with  the  general,  and  draw  from  him  an 
acknowledgment  that  in  his  operations  in  Florida,  he 
had  transcended  his  orders.  This  letter  declared  at  the 
same  time,  that  the  g-eneral  maintained  that  he  had  not 
transcended  his  orders,  and  that  there  was  nothing'  on  re 
cord  in  the  department  to  shew  that  he  had.  It  also  ad 
verted  to  a  confidential  letter  which  he,  Mr.  Monroe,  pro 
posed  to  address  General  Jackson  on  the  subject,  and 
which  Mr.  Calhoun  was  authorized  to  forward  if  he  ap 
proved  it — this  was  received. 

"  The  member  of  congress,  who  enclosed  to  General 
Jackson  the  copy  of  this  letter  from  Mr.  Monroe  to  Mr. 
Calhoun,  at  the  same  time  informed  him  that  he  under 
stood  it  was  done  with  the  consent  of  Mr.  Calhoun  ;  and 
that  the  original  would  be  placed  in  his  hands  by  the 
same  person  who  had  handed  him  the  copy.  General 
Jackson  afterwards  received  the  original  from  the  hands 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  365 

of  a  friend  as  he  had  always  understood  of  Mr.  Calhoun, 
as  advised  in  the  letter  of  the  member  of  congress. 

"  General  Jackson  having  always  understood  Mr.  Cal 
houn  to  have  been  his  supporter,  throughout  the  proceed 
ings  of  the  Seminole  war,  and  believing  him  a  high 
minded  and  honorable  man,  naturally  inferred  that  this 
disclosure  of  Mr.  Monroe's  feelings  was  made  as  an  act 
of  justice,  and  intended  to  guard  him  against  the  effects 
of  the  book,  which  Mr.  Monroe  was  about  writing.  As 
there  never  had  been  an  intimation  from,the  president  or 
himself  until  the  campaign  was  ended,  that  the  general 
had  transcended  his  orders,  it  seemed  to  General  Jackson 
perfectly  consistent  with  the  claims  of  friendship,  and 
honor,  that  Mr.  Calhoun  in  1827,  finding  that  new  views 
had  been  taken  of  the  Seminole  war,  and  that  the  fair 
interpretation  of  his  orders  were  about  to  be  grossly 
evaded,  felt  himself  at  liberty  to  defeat  the  object  of  those 
who  were  thus  employed,  by  exposing  the  letter  which 
has  been  referred  to." 

"  Some  short  time  after  the  original  letter  just  spoken  of, 
was  handed  to  the  General  in  1827,  he  received  a  letter 
from  Mr.  Calhoun,  stating  that  he  had  been  informed  that 
a  confidential  letter  from  Mr.  Monroe  to  him,  had  been 
placed  in  his  hands,  and  desiring  to  know  if  such  were 
the  fact,  through  what  channel  it  had  been  received ;  well 
assured  that  no  person  near  him  could  have  given  this 
information  to  Mr.  Calhoun.  General  Jackson  replied 
to  him,  that  such  a  letter  was  in  his  possession — that 
first  a  copy,  and  afterwards  an  original,  as  has  been 
stated,  was  placed  in  his  hands,  with  the  declaration 
that  it  was  done  with  the  consent  of  Mr.  Calhoun  ; 
and,  that  if  he  would  inquire  of  those  who  informed  him 
that  such  a  letter  was  in  his  hands,  they  could  give 
him  more  information  than  he  knew,  of  the  channel  in 
which  it  came.  Mr.  Calhoun  requested  a  return  of  the 
31* 


366  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

letter,  denying  that  he  had  any  knowledge  of  the  man 
ner  by  which  it  got  out  of  his  possession,  and  protest 
ing  that  it  would  have  been  dishonorable  in  him  to  have 
violated  the  confidence,  reposed  by  Mr.  Monroe.  The 
original  letter  was  forthwith  returned  to  him.  The  ge 
neral  knew  not  how  the  letter  was  obtained  from  Mr. 
Calhoun,  unless  the  statement  of  the  member  of  congress 
accounts  for  it,  whose  situation  was  not  such  as  to  make  it 
probable  that  he  could  have  had  any  other  agency  in  the 
affair,  than  that  of  a  mere  receiver.  This  statement  was 
besides  strongly  confirmed  by  the  fact  that  the  gentleman 
\vho  handed  the  original  was  well  known  as  the  friend 
of  Mr.  Calhoun,  and  possessed  too  much  character  for 
justice  and  honor,  to  be  suspected  of  resorting  to  improper 
means  to  obtain  it,  or  even  under  any  circumstances  -to 
use  it,  without  having  reasons  to  believe  that  Mr.  Cal 
houn  himself  had  authorized  such  use." 

"  It  was  the  controversy  with  Mr.  Southard,  and  the 
subsequent  correspondence  between  Mr.  Monroe  and 
Judge  White,  connected  with  the  intimations  contained 
in  the  comments  of  the  presses  inimical  to  General  Jack 
son,  that  his  confidential  letter  to  Mr.  Monroe,  in  relation 
to  the  Seminole  war,  would  be  published,  that  suggested 
to  the  friends  of  General  Jackson,  the  propriety  of  ascer 
taining  what  had  occurred,  on  the  latter  subject,  in  Mr. 
Monroe's  cabinet.  This  suggestion  could  not  have  been 
dictated  by  hostility  to  Mr.  Calhoun,  because  none  of 
General  Jackson's  confidential  friends  had  ever  entertain 
ed  a  doubt  of  the  part  he  acted.  The  minds  of  all  were 
firmly  impressed  with  the  belief  that  he  had  been  the  ad 
vocate  and  friend  of  the  General  throughout.  But  it  was 
otherwise  with  Mr.  Crawford,  who  was  almost  as  gene 
rally  believed  to  have  taken  the  opposite  course,  notwith 
standing  Mr.  Monroe's  declaration,  that  no  movement 
had  been  irade  in  cabinet  council  to  arrest  or  punish 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  367 

General  Jackson  for  a  violation  of  orders.  For  the  pur 
pose  of  ascertaining  therefore,  the  justice  of  the  imputa 
tions  or  the  charges  made  against  Mr.  Crawford  on 
this  subject,  was  the  enquiry  made  of  him,  which  being 
answered,  was  submitted  to  Mr.  Calhoun,  and  produced 
the  correspondence  between  him  and  General  Jackson, 
and  which  was  by  the  former  made  public." 

"  General  Jackson  had  no  wish  to  excite  public  feeling, 
or  produce  political  effect  through  it,  and  did  not,  there 
fore,  desire  that  publicity  should  be  given  to  it.  But  he 
felt  it  due,  both  to  Mr.  Calhoun  and  Mr.  Crawford,  and 
also  to  himself,  that  an  explanation  should  take  place,  and 
the  difficulties  arising  from  conflicting  statements  become 
thoroughly  understood.  General  Jackson  and  Mr.  Craw 
ford  had  been  alienated  in  friendship  before  the  Seminole 
war.  Mr.  Crawford  had  predicated  an  article  in  an  In 
dian  treaty,  and  made  grants  to  the  Indians,  upon  the  sup 
position  that  they  had  been  despoiled  of  their  property  by 
the  army  commanded  by  General  Jackson.  No  such  in 
justice  had  been  committed,  and  General  Jackson  resent 
ed  the  wrong  done  to  himself  and  the  army  by  a  treaty 
implicating  their  character,  without,  as  he  thought,  suf 
ficient  care  being  taken  to  obtain  proof  of  the  real  state 
of  the  facts.  When  the  Seminole  question  arose,  General 
Jackson  was  the  more  readily  induced  to  attribute  the 
attacks  made  upon  him  to  Mr.  Crawford,  because  of  his 
previous  difference.  Notwithstanding  this,  the  wife  of 
General  Jackson  had  still  maintained  an  intercourse  of 
kindness  with  the  family  of  Mr.  Crawford,  and  after  the 
election  of  1825  in  the  house  of  representatives,  for  presi 
dent,  had  taken  place,  and  while  Mr.  Crawford  was  pros 
trated  by  disease,  General  Jackson  was  prevailed  upon 
to  pay  a  visit  to  him,  as  an  earnest  that  he  was  willing 
to  forget  the  dissensions  which  had  produced  enmity  be 
tween  them.  There  was,  however,  no  explanations  or 


368  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

conversations  with  regard  to  the  causes  which  had  sepa* 
rated  them.  The  meeting  was  in  the  presence  of  a  num 
ber  of  friends,  and  marked,  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Crawford, 
by  the  deepest  sensibility. 

By  a  recent  letter,  received"  by  General  Jackson  from 
Mr.  Crawford,  a  state  of  facts  was  presented,  going  to 
show  on  the  one  hand,  that  the  General  had  long  con 
demned  in  his  heart,  an  innocent  man  for  the  efforts  made 
to  destroy  his  character  as  a  patriot,  and  tarnish  his  lau 
rels  as  a  soldier.  On  the  other  hand,  one  whom  he  sup 
posed  always  to  have  been  his  friend,  and  his  most  zealous 
vindicator  in  this  particular  instance,  stood  charged  with 
having  been  the  man  who  impeached  him  in  the  cabinet 
for  a  violation  of  orders.  If  this  were  the  true  state  of 
things,  the  General  felt  that  he  owed  to  his  own  and  the 
feelings  of  Mr.  Crawford,  reparation  for  having  wronged 
him  in  his  opinions,  and  felt  bound  also  to  reject  from  his 
mind  any  conclusion  as  to  the  conduct  of  his  long  pro 
fessed  friend,  Mr.  Calhoun,  until  he  had  an  opportunity 
for  explanation.  For  these  reasons  the  letter  of  Mr. 
Crawford  was  submitted  to  him  by  General  Jackson.  In 
his  letter  accompanying  that  submission,  he  says  :  "  The 
submission  you  perceive  is  authorized  by  the  writer. 
The  statements  and  facts  it  presents  being  so  different 
from  what  I  had  heretofore  understood  to  be  correct,  re 
quires  that  it  should  be  brought  to  your  consideration. 
They  are  different  from  your  letter  to  Governor  Bibb,  of 
Alabama,  of  13th  May,  1818,  where  you  state,  '  General 
Jackson  is  vested  with  full  power  to  conduct  the  war  in 
the  manner  he  may  judge  best,'  and  different  too,  from 
your  letters  to  me  at  that  time,  which  breathe  throughout 
a  spirit  of  approbation  and  friendship,  and  particularly 
the  one  in  which  you  say,  '  I  have  the  honor  to  acknow 
ledge  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  20th  ultimo,  to  ac 
quaint  you  with  the  entire  approbation  of  the  president  of 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  369 

all  the  measures  you  have  adopted  to  terminate  the  rupture 
with  the  Indians.'  My  object  in  making  this  communi 
cation,  is  to  announce  to  you  the  great  surprise  which  I 
felt,  and  to  learn  of  you  whether  it  be  possible  that  the 
information  given  is  correct ;  whether  it  can  be,  under 
all  the  circumstances  of  which  you  and  I  are  both  in 
formed,  that  any  attempt  seriously  to  affect  me  was  moved 
and  sustained  by  you  in  the  cabinet  council,  when,  as  is 
known  to  you,  I  was  but  executing  the  wishes  of  the  go 
vernment,  and  clothed  with  the  authority  to  '  conduct  the 
war  in  the  manner  I  might  judge  best.' " 

The  reply  of  Mr.  Calhoun  to  General  Jackson's  letter 
was  not  the  frank  yea  or  nay  which  was  all  that  was  re 
quired.  He  commenced  an  answer  of  great  length,  by 
denying  his  responsibility  to  General  Jackson  for  what 
passed  in  Mr.  Monroe's  cabinet.  This  was  entirely  un 
called  for  ;  the  president,  nor  any  one  else,  ^)^ng  claim 
ed  such  responsibility  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Calhoun.  He 
also  stated  that  it  was  not  his  intention  to  offer  any  apo 
logies  or  excuses  for  his  conduct.  General  Jackson  re 
quired  no  apologies  or  excuses.  He  only  asked  what 
that  conduct  was  ? 

Mr.  Calhoun  then  affected  not  to  understand  the  presi 
dent,  but  supposed  he  meant  that  they  did  not  put  the 
same  construction  upon  his  orders  in  the  Seminole  cam 
paign,  and  that  he  had  been  guilty  of  some  duplicity  in 
that  respect.  The  president's  letter  was  a  direct  inquiry 
of  Mr.  Calhoun,  whether  his  course  had  been  hostile  to 
him  in  Mr.  Monroe's  cabinet,  as  was  represented.  He 
did  not  ask  how  Mr.  Calhoun  understood  his  orders,  or 
whether  they  understood  them  alike.  He  only  desired 
to  know,  whether  he  had  been  secretly  hostile,  while  pro 
fessedly  and  publicly  his  friend.  But  Mr.  Calhoun,  in 
stead  of  answering  directly,  led  off  into  a  long  discus 
sion  about  the  orders  and  the  manner  in  which  they  were 


370  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

understood,  points,  which  were  not  at  all  involved  in  the 
inquiry  to  which  he  was  replying. 

The  disappointment  of  General  Jackson  in  not  receiv 
ing  a  direct  reply  to  the  inquiry  made  in  his  letter,  is 
evinced  in  the  following  extract  from  his  reply  to  the 
answer  of  Mr.  Calhoun :  "  I  regret  to  find  that  you  have 
entirely  mistaken  my  note  of  the  13th  instant.  There  is 
no  part  of  it  which  calls  in  question  either  your  conduct 
or  your  motives  in  the  case  alluded  to.  Motives  are  to 
be  inferred  from  actions,  and  judged  of  by  our  God.  It 
had  been  intimated  to  me  many  years  ago,  that  it  was 
you  and  not  Mr.  Crawford,  who  had  been  secretly  en 
deavoring  to  destroy  my  reputation.  These  insinuations 
I  indignantly  repelled,  upon  the  ground  that  you,  in  all 
of  your  letters  to  me,  professed  to  be  my  personal  friend, 
and  approved  entirely  of  my  conduct  in  the  Seminole 
campaign,  XT  had  too  exalted  an  opinion  of  your  honor 
and  frankness,  to  believe  for  one  moment  that  you  could 
be  capable  of  such  deception.  Under  the  influence  of 
these  friendly  feelings,  (which  I  always  entertained  for 
you)  when  I  was  presented  with  a  copy  of  Mr.  Craw 
ford's  letter,  with  that  frankness  which  ever  has,  and  I 
hope  ever  will  characterize  my  conduct,  I  considered  it 
due  to  you  and  to  the  friendly  relations  which  had  always 
existed  between  us,  to  lay  it  forthwith  before  you,  and 
ask  if  the  statements  contained  in  that  letter  could  be  true? 
I  repeat,  I  had  a  right  to  believe  that  you  were  my  sin 
cere  friend,  and  until  now,  never  expected  to  have  occa 
sion  to  say  of  you  in  the  language  of  Caesar,  Et  tu  Brute? 
The  evidence  which  brought  me  to  this  conclusion  is 
abundantly  contained  in  your  letter  now  before  me.  In 
your  and  Mr.  Crawford's  dispute,  I  have  no  interest 
whatever  ;  but  it  may  become  necessary  for  me  hereafter 
when  I  shall  have  more  leisure,  and  the  documents  at 
hand,  to  place  the  subject  in  its  proper  light,  to  notice  the 


.  \NDREW  JACKSON.  371 

historical  facts  and  references  in  your  communication, 
which  will  give  a  very  different  view  of  the  subject.  It 
is  due  to  myself,  however,  to  state  that  the  knowledge  of 
the  executive  documents  and  orders  in  my  possession 
will  show  conclusively,  that  I  had  authority  for  all  I  did, 
and  that  your  explanation  of  my  powers  as  declared  to 
Governor  Bibh,  shows  your  own  understanding  of  them. 
Your  letter  to  me  of  the  29th,  handed  to-day,  and  now 
before  me,  is  the  first  intimation  to  me  that  you  ever  en 
tertained  any  other  opinion  or  view  of  them.  Your  con 
duct,  words,  actions,  and  letters,  I  have  ever  thought 
show  this.  Understanding  you  now,  no  further  commu 
nication  on  this  subject  is  necessary." 

After  much  unnecessary  verbosity  and  circumlocution, 
Mr.  Calhoun  at  length  admitted  that  Mr.  Crawford's 
statement  was  substantially  true  !  He  said  to  the  presi 
dent,  "  /  was  of  the  impression  ihat  you  had  exceeded 
your  orders — /  came  to  the  meeting  of  the  cabinet  under 
the  impression  that  the  usual  course  ought  to  be  pursued  in 
this  case,  which  I  supported  by  presenting  fully  and  freely 
all  the  arguments  that  occurred  to  me." 

Here  the  charge,  so  far  as  General  Jackson  was  con 
cerned,  was  admitted  to  be  true.  No  room  for  controver 
sy  was  left,  except  in  relation  to  Mr.  Calhoun's  conduct 
towards  General  Jackson.  The  general  says  to  him, 
"  in  all  your  letters  to  me,  you  professed  to  be  my  perso 
nal  friend,  and  approved  entirely  my  conduct  in  relation 
to  the  Seminole  campaign." 

But  this  correspondence  convinced  the  General  of  the 
aggravated  nature  of  the  deception  that  had  been  prac 
tised  upon  him,  and  in  his  last  communication  to  Mr. 
Calhoun,  after  repeating,  that  he  had  always  met  the  in 
timations  of  Mr.  Calhoun's  having  made  injurious  move 
ments  before  the  cabinet,  in  secret  council  against  him, 
with  flat  and  positive  denial — after  stating  that  he  had 


372  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

rebutted  every  insinuation  against  Mr.  Calhoun  for  hav 
ing  thus  conducted,  by  bringing  into  view  his  uniform 
and  full  approval  of  the  conduction  of  the  Seminole  cam 
paign — after  stating  that  the  high  character  that  Mr. 
Calhoun  had  sustained  for  fair,  open,  and  honorable  con 
duct  in  all  things,  was  entirely  opposed  to  the  secret,  un- 
candid,  and  unmanly  course  ascribed  to  him,  and  that  he 
had  ever  banished  from  his  mind  what  he  conceived  to  be 
unjust  imputations  upon  that  gentleman's  honor,  by  as 
cribing  duplicity  to  him,  until  he  had  learned  the  import 
of  the  written  statement  of  Mr.  Crawford,  and  had  re 
quested  to  see  it  with  the  object  of  laying  it  before  Mr. 
Calhoun,  supposing  it  would  meet  his  prompt  and  posi 
tive  negative,  he  concluded  as  follows  :  "  But  I  regret 
that  instead  of  a  negative,  which  I  had  a  right  to  expect, 
I  had  the  poignant  mortification  to  see  in  your  letter  an 
admission  of  its  truth.  Understanding  the  matter  now,  I 
feel  no  interest  in  this  altercation,  and  leave  you  and  Mr. 
Crawford,  arrd  all  concerned,  to  settle  the  affair  in  your 
own  way,  and  now  close  this  correspondence  for  ever." 

A  defence  of  General  Jackson's  measures  in  the  Semi 
nole  campaign,  has  before  been  given  to  the  reader  : 
nothing  further  on  that  subject  will  therefore  be  necessa 
ry.  This  correspondence  resulted  to  the  benefit  of  no 
one  except  General  Jackson,  he  learned  from  it,  that  the 
man  whom  he  had  ever  supposed  to  be  his  firm  friend 
and  defender  from  the  assaults  of  his  enemies,  was  his 
secret  and  inveterate  foe  ;  and  on  the  other  hand,  the  in 
dividual  who  he  had  been  led  to  believe  was  his  enemy, 
who  in  secret  had  endeavored  to  blight  his  reputation  as 
a  soldier  and  a  patriot,  was  innocent  of  the  imputations 
which  reflected  upon  his  ingenuousness  and  honor. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  373 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Dissolution  of  the  cabinet — Letter  of  resignation  from  the 
secretary  of  state — General  Jackson's  reply — Causes 
which  led  to  the  dissolution — Its  effects — Reorganiza 
tion  of  the  cabinet — Meeting  of  the  22d  congress — 
President's  message — Remarks  upon  it — Rejection  by 
the  senate  of  Mr.  Van  Buren's  nomination — Motives 
that  led  to  it — Bill  for  re-chartering  the  United  States' 
bank,  passes  both  houses  of  congress — Is  presented  to  the 
president — He  returns  it  with  his  veto — Veto  message — 
Its  effects — His  honor  and  character — Anecdotes — Con 
clusion. 

AN  interesting  crisis  was  now  approaching  in  the  cabi 
net,  which  General  Jackson  had  selected  to  aid  him  in  the 
discharge  of  the  arduous  duties  of  government.  This 
was  its  dissolution.  The  causes  which  led  to  this  result, 
were  clearly  and  concisely  developed  in  the  letter  of  Mr. 
Martin  Van  Buren,  secretary  of  state,  tendering  his  resig 
nation  to  the  president.  The  subsequent  detail  of  Major 
Eaton  entered  more  minutely  into  the  particulars,  and 
gave  a  clear,  consistent,  and  satisfactory  relation  of  the 
primary,  and  other  causes,  which  produced  the  dissolution. 

The  following  is  the  letter  of  Mr.  Van  Buren  tendering 
his  resignation  of  the  department  of  state ;  in  which  the 
grounds  for  taking  the  step,  are  fully  and  distinctly  stated. 
«  Washington,  April  llth,  1831. 

"  Dear  Sir — I  feel  it  to  be  my  duty  to  retire  from  the 
32 


374  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

office  to  which  your  confidence  and  partiality  called  me. 
The  delicacy  of  this  step,  under  the  circumstances  in 
which  it  is  taken,  will,  I  trust,  be  deemed  an  ample 
apology  for  stating-  more  at  large,  than  might  otherwise 
have  been  necessary,  the  reasons  by  which  I  am  influ 
enced. 

"  From  the  moment  of  taking  my  seat  in  your  cabinet, 
it  has  been  my  anxious  wish  and  zealous  endeavor  to  pre 
vent  a  premature  agitation  of  the  question  of  your  succes 
sor  ;  and,  at  all  events,  to  discountenance,  and  if  possible 
repress  the  disposition,  at  an  early  day  manifested,  to  con 
nect  my  name  with  that  disturbing  topic.  Of  the  since 
rity  and  the  constancy  of  this  disposition,  no  one  has  had 
a  better  opportunity  to  judge  than  yourself.  It  has,  how 
ever,  been  unavailing.  Circumstances,  not  of  my  crea 
tion,  and  altogether  beyond  my  control,  have  given  to  this 
subject  a  turn  which  cannot  now  be  remedied,  except  by 
a  self-disfranchisement  which,  even  if  dictated  by  my  in 
dividual  wishes,  could  hardly  be  reconcilable  with  pro 
priety  or  self-respect. 

"  Concerning  the  injurious  effects  which  the  circum 
stance  of  a  member  of  the  cabinet's  occupying  the  rela 
tion  towards  the  country  to  which  I  have  adverted,  is 
calculated  to  have  upon  the  conduct  of  public  affairs,  there 
cannot,  I  think,  at  this  time,  be  room  for  two  opinions. 
Diversities  of  ulterior  preference  among  the  friends  of 
an  administration  are  unavoidable ;  and  even  if  the  res 
pective  advocates  of  those  thus  placed  in  rivalship  be 
patriotic  enough  to  resist  the  temptation  of  creating  obsta 
cles  to  the  advancement  of  him  to  whose  elevation  they 
are  opposed,  by  embarrassing  the  branch  of  public  service 
committed  to  his  charge,  they  are,  nevertheless,  by  their 
position,  exposed  to  the  suspicion  of  entertaining  and  en 
couraging  such  views  :  a  suspicion  which  can  seldom  fail 
in  the  end,  to  aggravate  into  present  alienation  and  hos- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  375 

tility  the  prospective  differences  which  first  gave  rise  to 
it.  Thus,  under  the  least  unfavorable  consequences,  in 
dividual  injustice  is  suffered,  and  the  administration  em 
barrassed  and  weakened.  Whatever  may  have  been  the 
course  of  things  under  the  peculiar  circumstances  of  the 
earlier  stage  of  the  republic,  my  experience  has  fully 
satisfied  me  that,  at  this  day,  when  the  field  of  selection 
has  become  so  extended,  the  circumstance  referred  to,  by 
augmenting  the  motives  and  sources  of  opposition  to  the 
measures  of  the  executive,  must  unavoidably  prove  the 
cause  of  injury  to  the  public  service,  for  a  counterpoise 
to  which  we  may  in  vain  look  to  the  peculiar  qualifica 
tions  of  any  individual ;  and  even  if  I  should  in  this  be 
mistaken,  still  I  cannot  so  far  deceive  myself  as  to  believe 
for  a  moment  that  I  am  included  in  the  exceptions. 

"  These  obstructions  to  the  successful  prosecution  of 
public  affairs,  when  superadded  to  that  opposition  which 
is  inseparable  from  our  free  institutions,  and  which  every 
administration  must  expect,  present  a  mass  to  which  the 
operations  of  the  government  should  at  no  time  be  volun 
tarily  exposed  : — the  more  especially  should  this  be  avoid 
ed  at  so  eventful  a  period  in  the  affairs  of  the  world,  when 
our  country  may  particularly  need  the  utmost  harmony 
in  her  councils. 

•*  Such  being  my  impressions,  the  path  of  duty  is  plain  : 
and  I  not  only  submit  with  cheerfulness  to  whatever  per 
sonal  sacrifices  may  be  involved  in  the  surrender  of  the 
station  I  occupy ;  but  I  make  it  my  ambition  to  set  an 
example  which,  should  it  in  the  progress  of  the  govern 
ment  be  deemed,  notwithstanding  the  humility  of  its 
origin,  worthy  of  respect  and  observance,  cannot,  I  think, 
fail  to  prove  essentially  and  permanently  beneficial. 

"  Allow  me,  Sir,  to  present  one  more  view  of  the  sub 
ject  : — You  have  consented  to  stand  before  your  constitu 
ents  for  re-election.  Of  their  decision,  resting  as  it  does 


376  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

upon  the  unbought  suffrages  of  a  free,  numerous,  and 
widely  extended  people,  it  becomes  no  man  to  speak  with 
certainty.  Judging,  however,  from  the  past,  and  making 
a  reasonable  allowance  for  the  fair  exercise  of  the  intel 
ligence  and  public  spirit  of  your  fellow  citizens,  I  cannot 
hesitate  in  adopting  the  belief,  that  the  confidence,  as  well 
in  your  capacity  for  civil  duties  as  in  your  civic  virtues, 
already  so  spontaneously  and  strikingly  displayed,  will 
be  manifested  with  increased  energy,  now,  that  all  candid 
observers  must  admit  their  utmost  expectations  to  have 
been  more  than  realized. 

"  If  this  promise,  so  auspicious  to  the  best  interests  of 
our  common  country,  be  fulfilled,  the  concluding  term  of 
your  administration  will,  in  the  absence  of  any  prominent 
cause  of  discord  among  its  supporters,  afford  a  most  fa 
vorable  opportunity  for  the  full  accomplishment  of  those 
important  public  objects,  in  the  prosecution  of  which  I 
have  witnessed  on  your  part  such  steady  vigilance  and 
untiring  devotion.  To  the  unfavorable  influence  which 
my  continuance  in  your  cabinet,  under  existing  circum 
stances,  may  exercise  upon  this  flattering  prospect,  I  can 
not,  Sir,  without  a  total  disregard  of  the  lights  of  experi 
ence,  and  without  shutting  my  eyes  to  the  obvious  ten 
dency  of  things  for  the  future,  be  insensible.  Having, 
moreover,  from  a  deep  conviction  of  its  importance  to  the 
country,  been  among  the  most  urgent  of  your  advisers 
to  yield  yourself  to  the  obvious  wishes  of  the  people,  and 
knowing  the  sacrifice  of  personal  feeling  which  was  in 
volved  in  your  acquiescence,  I  cannot  reconcile  it  to  my 
self  to  be  in  any  degree  the  cause  of  embarrassment  to 
you  during  the  period  which,  as  it  certainly  will  be  of 
deep  interest  to  your  country,  is  moreover  destined  to 
bring  to  its  close,  your  patriotic,  toilsome  and  eventful 
public  life. 

"  From  these  considerations,  I  feel  it  to  be  doubly  my 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  377 

duty  to  resign  a  post,  the  retention  of  which  is  so  calcu 
lated  to  attract  assaults  upon  your  administration,  to  which 
there  might  otherwise  be  no  inducement — assaults  of 
which,  whatever  be  their  aim,  the  most  important  as  well 
as  most  injurious  effect  is,  upon  those  public  interests, 
which  deserve  and  should  command  the  support  of  all 
good  citizens.  This  duty,  I  should  have  discharged  at 
an  earlier  period,  but  for  considerations,  partly  of  a  pub 
lic,  partly  of  a  personal  nature,  connected  with  circum 
stances  which  were  calculated  to  expose  its  performance 
then  to  misconstruction  and  misrepresentation. 

"  Having  explained  the  motives  which  govern  me  in 
thus  severing,  and  with  seeming  abruptness,  the  official 
ties  by  which  we  have  been  associated,  there  remains  but 
one  duty  for  me  to  perform.  It  is  to  make  my  profound 
and  sincere  acknowledgments  for  that  steady  support 
and  cheering  confidence  which,  in  the  discharge  of  my 
public  duties,  I  have,  under  all  circumstances,  received  at 
your  hands  ;  as  well  as  for  the  personal  kindness  at  all 
times  extended  to  me. 

"  Rest  assured,  Sir,  that  the  success  of  your  adminis 
tration,  and  the  happiness  of  your  private  life  will  ever 
constitute  objects  of  the  deepest  solicitude  with 

Your  sincere  friend  and  obedient  servant, 

M.  VAN  BUREN. 
The  President." 

To  which  letter,  the  President  made  the  following 
reply: 

"  Washington,  April  12th,  1831. 

"  Dear  Sir, — Your  letter  resigning  the  office  of  secre 
tary  of  state  was  received  last  evening.  I  could  indeed 
wish  that  no  circumstance  had  arisen  to  interrupt  the  re 
lations  which  have,  for  two  years,  subsisted  between  us, 
and  that  they  might  have  continued  through  the  period 

during  which  it  may  be  my  lot  to  remain  charged  with 
32* 


378  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

the  duties  which  the  partiality  of  my  countrymen  has 
imposed  upon  me.  But  the  reasons  you  present  are  so 
strong  that,  with  a  proper  regard  for  them,  I  cannot  ask 
you,  on  my  own  account,  to  remain  in  the  cabinet. 

"  I  am  aware  of  the  difficulties  you  have  had  to  con 
tend  with,  and  of  the  benefits  which  have  resulted  to  the 
affairs  of  your  country,  from  your  continued  zeal  in  the 
arduous  tasks  to  which  you  have  been  subjected.  To  say 
that  I  deeply  regret  to  lose  you,  is  but  feebly  to  express 
my  feelings  on  the  occasion. 

"  When  called  by  my  country  to  the  station  which  I 
occupy,  it  was  not  without  a  deep  sense  of  its  arduous 
responsibilities,  and  a  strong  distrust  of  myself,  that  I 
obeyed  the  call ;  but,  cheered  by  the  consciousness  that 
no  other  motive  actuated  me,  than  a  desire  to  guard  her 
interests,  and  to  place  her  upon  the  firm  ground  of  those 
great  principles  which,  by  the  wisest  and  purest  of  our 
patriots,  have  been  deemed  essential  to  her  prosperity,  I 
ventured  upon  the  trust  assigned  me.  I  did  this  in  the 
confident  hope  of  finding  the  support  of  advisers,  able 
and  true  ;  who,  laying  aside  every  thing  but  a  desire  to 
give  new  vigor  to  the  vital  principles  of  our  union,  would 
look  with  a  single  eye  to  the  best  means  of  effecting  this 
paramount  object.  In  you,  this  hope  has  been  realized  to 
the  utmost.  In  the  most  difficult  and  trying  moments  of 
my  administration,  I  have  always  found  you  sincere,  able 
and  efficient — anxious  at  all  times  to  afford  me  every  aid. 
If,  however,  from  circumstances  in  your  judgment  suffi 
cient  to  make  it  necessary,  the  official  ties  subsisting  be 
tween  us  must  be  severed,  I  can  only  say  that  this  neces 
sity  is  deeply  lamented  by  me.  I  part  with  you  only  be 
cause  you  yourself  have  requested  me  to  do  so,  and  have 
sustained  that  request  by  reasons  strong  enough  to  com 
mand  my  assent.  I  cannot,  however,  allow  the  separa 
tion  to  take  place,  without  expressing  the  hope,  that  this 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  379 

retirement  from  public  affairs  is  but  temporary ;  and  that 
if,  in  any  other  station,  the  government  should  have  occa 
sion  for  services,  the  value  of  which  has  been  so  sensibly 
felt  by  me,  your  consent  will  not  be  wanting. 

"  Of  the  state  of  things  to  which  you  advert,  I  cannot 
but  be  fully  aware.  I  look  upon  it  with  sorrow,  and  re 
gret  it  the  more,  because  one  of  its  first  effects  is  to  dis 
turb  the  harmony  of  my  cabinet.  It  is,  however,  but  an 
instance  cf  one  of  the  evils  to  which  free  governments 
must  ever  be  liable.  The  only  remedy  for  these  evils,  as 
they  arise,  lies  in  the  intelligence  and  public  spirit  of  our 
common  constituents.  They  will  correct  them — and  in 
this  there  is  abundant  consolation.  I  cannot  quit  this 
subject  without  adding,  that  with  the  best  opportunities  for 
observing  and  judging,  I  have  seen  in  you  no  other  de 
sire  than  to  move  quietly  on  in  the  path  of  your  duties, 
and  to  promote  the  harmonious  conduct  of  public  affairs. 
If  on  this  point  you  have  had  to  encounter  detraction,  it 
is  but  another  proof  of  the  utter  insufficiency  of  innocence 
and  worth  to  shield  from  such  assaults. 

"  Be  assured  that  the  interest  you  express  in  my  hap 
piness  is  most  heartily  reciproca-ted — that  my  most  cordial 
feelings  accompany  you,  and  that  I  anij  very  sincerely, 
your  friend,  ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Martin  Van  Buren, 

Secretary  of  State." 

The  resignation  of  Messrs.  Eaton,  Branch,  Ingham, 
and  Berrien,  immediately  followed  that  of  Mr.  Van  Bu- 
ren.  The  reasons  which  induced  those  gentlemen  to  re 
sign  their  stations,  were  variously  stated  by  each  ;  thpse 
however,  given  by  the  secretary  of  war,  in  connexion 
with  those  given  by  the  secretary  of  state,  seem  to  be  en 
titled  to  the  greatest  weight,  as  faithful  and  correct  expo 
sitions  of  the  true  nature  of  the  facts  and  circumstances 
connected  with  the  dissolution  of  the  cabinet. 


380  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

From  the  expose  of  Major  Eaton,  it  appeared  that  his 
own  situation  in  the  war  department  was  never  sought 
for  by  him,  but  was  bestowed  upon  him  by  the  president, 
who  felt  anxious  when  entering  upon  the  arduous  duties 
to  which  he  had  been  called,  to  have  near  him  some  one 
of  his  long  tried  personal  friends,  in  whom  he  could  con 
fide  with  safety. 

Mr.  Van  Buren  was  appointed,  because  the  president 
had  confidence  in  his  talents  and  integrity,  and  because 
he  appeared  to  be  the  expectation  of  the  country.  Mr. 
ingham  was  selected  for  the  reason  that  the  president 
was  induced  to  believe  that  the  democracy  of  Pennsylva 
nia  desired  it.  Mr.  Barry,  from  a  confidence  reposed  in 
him  by  the  president,  derived  from  a  personal  knowledge 
of  his  worth  and  merits.  Mr.  Branch  and  Mr.  Berrien 
were  selected  as  men  whose  talents  and  capabilities  would 
insure  a  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  appertaining  to 
the  respective  stations  to  which  they  were  called.  At 
the  time  the  cabinet  was  organized,  a]l  its  members  ap 
parently  harmonized,  and  were  seemingly  anxious  to 
lend  every  assistance  in  their  power  for  facilitating  the 
administration  of  government.  But  subsequent  events 
proved  conclusively,  that  such  was  not  the  relation  in 
which  the  respective  members  of  the  cabinet  stood  to 
each  other  ;  nor  were  they  all  solicitous  that  President 
Jackson's  administration  should  be  such  a  one,  as  would 
promote  the  complicated  and  vital  interests  of  this  vast 
republic. 

It  appeared  from  the  statements  of  Messrs.  Berrien  and 
Ingham,  after  making  their  resignations,  that  they  caine 
into  the  cabinet  with  hostile  feelings  towards  Major  Ea 
ton  ;  this  hostility  increased ;  covert  attacks  were  made 
upon  him,  and  the  sanctuary  of  his  domestic  circle  was 
rudely  invaded. 

Time  passed  and  slowly  developed  the  aims  of  the  re- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  381 

spective  members  of  the  cabinet.  Subsequent  events  have 
rendered  it  clearly  manifest,  that  the  vice  president,  Mr. 
Calhoun,  was  well  aware  that  the  expiration  of  his  pre 
sent  term  of  office  would  complete  the  length  of  time, 
which,  by  a  custom  equivalent  to  a  positive  law,  would 
prevent  him  from  becoming-  a  successful  candidate  for  the 
office  he  now  filled.  He  was  ambitious  and  fond  of  power, 
and  could  ill  brook  the  reflection  that  he  was  so  soon  to 
take  his  leave  of  the  station  he  occupied,  with  no  very 
flattering  assurances  that  he  should  at  a  subsequent  period 
be  able  to  attain  to  one  more  exalted.  He  therefore  re 
solved  by  one  desperate  stroke  to  attain  the  object  of  his 
ambitious  views,  by  procuring  his  own  elevation  to  the 
next  presidency,  or  sink  beyond  the  hope  of  recovery. 

With  this  object  in  view,  the  first  preliminary  and  im 
portant  step  to  be  taken,  was  to  prevent  if  possible  the  re- 
nomination  of  General  Jackson  to  the  presidency.  To 
supply  himself  with  the  necessary  aid  for  producing  this 
important  result,  he  attached  Messrs.  Ingham,  Branch, 
and  Berrien,  of  the  cabinet,  and  Mr.  Duff  Green,  editor 
of  the  Washington  Telegraph,  to  his  fortunes.  When 
the  subject,  therefore,  of  a  candidate  for  the  next  presi 
dency,  was  agitated  by  the  friends  of  General  Jackson, 
the  editor  of  the  Telegraph  manifested  his  hostility  to 
that  gentleman,  and  his  devotion  to  Mr.  Calhoun.  The 
same  disposition  was  evinced  in  the  cabinet  by  Messrs. 
Ingham,  Branch,  and  Berrien,  added  to  their  hatred  of 
Mr.  Eaton.  The  correspondence  between  General  Jack 
son  and  Mr.  Calhoun,  removed  from  the  latter  the  mask 
of  pretended  friendship  and  regard,  behind  which  he  had 
so  long  hidden  his  enmity  and  inimical  designs — the  ex 
plosion  of  the  cabinet  soon  followed — it  resolved  itself 
back  to  its  original  elements,  but  its  firm  and  patriotic 
head  stood  "  unhurt  amid  the  wreck  of  matter,"  and  no 
bly  triumphed  over  the  machinations  of  his  enemies. 


382  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

The  dissolution  of  the  cabinet  was  productive  of  no 
prejudice  to  General  Jackson ;  it  did  not  injure  or  em 
barrass  the  operations  of  government ;  an  angry  ferment 
ation  only,  was  for  a  time  produced  amongst  a  portion  of 
its  dissolving  elements ;  when  every  thing  connected 
with  the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  administration  assumed 
its  accustomed  aspect,  and  its  vigorous  and  politic  mea 
sures  were  prosecuted  with  the  same  zeal  and  fidelity 
that  characterized  the  operations  of  its  energetic  head, 
previous  to  the  dissolution. 

General  Jackson  re-organized  his  cabinet  by  appoint 
ing  Edward  Livingston,  of  Louisiana,  secretary  of  state  ; 
Levi  Woodbury,  of  New  Hampshire,  secretary  of  the 
navy ;  Louis  M'Lane,  of  Delaware,  secretary  of  the 
treasury;  and  Louis  Cass,  of  Ohio,  secretary  of  war. 
Roger  B.  Taney,  of  Maryland,  was  appointed  to  the  of 
fice  of  attorney  general.  A  more  judicious  and  popular 
cabinet  could  not  have  been  formed.  Each  individual 
member  was  well  known  to  the  whole  Union  for  eminent 
talents,  sterling  patriotism,  business  habits,  and  liberal 
devotion  to  the  public  good  in  every  section  of  the  United 
States.  With  it,  General  Jackson  proceeded  in  the  ad 
ministration  of  the  general  government  with  renewed 
energy. 

The  22d  congress  of  the  United  States  convened  in 
December,  1831,  when  General  Jackson  presented  to  the 
representatives  of  the  nation  his  annual  message.  It 
was  an  interesting  and  valuable  document :  an  able  wri 
ter  thus  remarks  upon  it : 

"  The  condition  of  our  country,  as  presented  by  this 
document,  is  a  source  of  high  and  heartfelt  gratifica 
tion.  We  point  to  it  with  equal  pride  and  pleasure. 
It  challenges  the  admiration  of  every  American  citi 
zen,  and  of  free  minds  every  where,  who  look  to  the 


&NDREW  JACKSON. 

progress  of  our  government  as  the  great  experiment  of 
the  people. 

"  The  long  pending  negotiations  with  England  are  ter 
minated  in  the  recovery  of  a  trade  of  the  highest  advan 
tage  to  our  merchants  and  agriculturists,  and  our  present 
minister  is  charged  with  the  adjustment  of  every  question 
of  possible  collision  and  difficulty.  The  claims  of  our  citi 
zens  upon  France  have  been  acknowledged,  and  indemni 
ty  obtained.  Our  claims  against  Denmark  and  Sweden 
have  been  adjusted  by  satisfactory  compensation  on  their 
part,  and  advantageous  treaties  of  commerce  renewed ; 
the  negotiations  for  the  adjustment  of  our  claims  against 
Naples,  have  been  opened  under  flattering  auspices; 
commercial  treaties  with  Austria,  the  Hanseatic  towns, 
and  Prussia,  have  opened  new  and  invaluable  sources  of 
trade  to  the  enterprise  of  our  countrymen,  with  the  ex 
tended  countries  of  the  north  and  south  of  Germany ;  a 
treaty  favorable  in  the  highest  degree,  has  been  establish 
ed  with  the  Porte,  and  our  ships,  seamen,  and  pro 
ducts,  find  their  way  to  seas  and  countries,  from  which 
they  have  been  hitherto  excluded ;  our  relations  with 
Russia  are  placed,  in  all  respects,  upon  a  footing  with  the 
most  favored  nations ;  precise  instructions  have  been 
given  to  bring  our  unsettled  differences  with  Spain  and 
with  the  two  Sicilies  to  a  speedy  issue,  and  in  relation  to 
the  former,  if  at  last  it  shall  be  of  an  unfriendly  nature, 
the  president  will  ask  the  determination  of  congress  in  a 
case  '  where  negotiation  for  redress  of  injury  fails.' 
Our  commerce  with  China  and  the  East  Indies  is  continu 
ed  with  increased  facilities  ;  whilst  a  frigate  has  been  dis 
patched  to  demand  redress  for  an  outrage  committed  in  those ' 
distant  seas,  on  an  American  merchantman,  at  Sumatra ; 
a  valuable  trade  has  been  opened  with  the  interior  pro 
vinces  of  Mexico,  and  the  ratification  of  an  advantageous 
commercial  treaty  urged  with  vigor ;  our  treaty  with  the 


384  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

republic  of  Central  America  has  been  faithfully  observed, 
and  promises  an  extended  and  beneficial  commerce  be 
tween  the  two  countries ;  our  negotiations  with  Colom 
bia  have  been  attended  with  success,  in  a  considerable  re 
duction  of  duty  on  flour,  and  a  stipulation  of  indemnity 
for  injuries  received  by  our  merchants  for  illegal  seizures. 
Efficient  measures  have  been  taken  for  the  protection  of 
our  commerce  and  fisheries  in  the  Pacific  Ocean,  in  re 
ference  to  the  civil  commotions  in  Chili  and  Peru ;  re 
dress  of  injuries,  and  indemnity  for  losses,  have  been 
promptly  demanded  of  the  government  of  Brazil ;  and  an 
armed  vessel  has  been  dispatched  to  the  Falkland  Islands, 
and  a  public  functionary  to  the  government  of  Buenos 
Ayres  will  soon  follow,  to  inquire  into  the  nature  of  the 
recent  depredations  upon  our  commerce,  and  to  protect 
it  from  aggression  for  the  future  ;  indeed,  at  every  foreign 
court,  in  all  countries,  and  in  every  sea,  have  the  public 
interests  been  carefully  guarded,  the  rights  and  interests 
of  our  citizens  protected,  the  national  honor  maintained, 
and  the  national  faith  preserved. 

"  Such  are  the  results  of  the  'diplomacy'  of  General 
Jackson's  administration.  Such  are  its  practical  effects, 
through  the  entire  circle  of  our  foreign  relations.  Never 
did  the  nation  stand  upon  a  higher  and  more  commanding 
eminence.  We  owe  it,  not  to  the  subterfuges  and  eva 
sions  of  a  mere  diplomatic  and  artificial  intercourse,  but 
to  a  frank,  honest,  and  upright  policy,  fearlessly  adopted 
and  steadily  pursued ;  and  to  a  rigid  adherence  to  the 
golden  rule  with  which  the  present  chief  magistrate 
commenced  his  administration,  '  to  ask  nothing  that  was 
not  clearly  right,  and  to  submit  to  nothing  that  was 
wrong.' 

"  The  condition  of  the  internal  affairs  of  the  country  is 
equally  a  subject  of  felicitation.  The  Indian  question  is 
settled — an  extended  trade  and  increasing  revenue — re- 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  385 

forms  in  the  public  offices  and  in  the  different  departments 
of  the  government — an  annual  income  of  nearly  twenty- 
eight  millions,  and  an  expenditure  of  fifteen  millions — 
the  payment  of  upwards  of  forty  millions  of  the  public 
debt  in  less  than  three  years — a  farther  modification  of 
the  tariff  and  a  diminution  of  its  burdens — -a  more  rapid 
and  extended  transportation  of  the  mails — and  the  en 
tire  extinguishment  of  the  national  debt  within  one 
year,  are  among  the  fruits  of  the  policy  of  this  adminis 
tration." 

This  session  of  congress  was  remarkable  for  the  tur 
bulence  of  party  spirit  evinced  by  many  members,  in  their 
action  upon  various  subjects  presented  for  their  delibera 
tions.  While  some  questions  of  deep  interest,  and  vital 
importance  to  the  nation,  were  adjusted  in  a  manner  that 
is  believed  will  produce  the  happiest  results ;  there  were 
others,  the  decision  of  which  was  produced  by  motives 
which  should  never  influence  the  representative  acts  of 
high-minded  and  honorable  men. 

A  prominent  act  of  the  latter  description  was  the  rejec 
tion  by  the  senate,  of  the  nomination  of  Martin  Van  Bu- 
ren,  by  the  president,  as  minister  to  England.  This  gen 
tleman  was  selected  by  General  Jackson  for  his  acknow 
ledged  worth,  talents,  and  public  services  ;  and  yet  the 
senate  rejected  the  nomination  by  the  casting  vote  of  its 
presiding  officer.  The  act  itself,  was  a  constitutional 
one,  and  as  such  was  not  obnoxious  to  censure ;  but  all 
delegated  powers  are  in  some  degree  discretionary,  and 
for  motives  alone,  which  prompt  the  exertion  of  consti 
tutional  privileges,  are  public  servants  amenable.  When 
the  present  period  of  high  political  excitement  is  past,  and 
men  can  look  at  this  act  with  unbiassed  and  unprejudiced 
minds,  in  searching  for  the  motives  which  produced  the 
rejection  of  the  president's  nomination  of  Mr.  Van  Buren, 
none,  it  is  confidently  believed,  will  be  found,  that  were 
33 


386  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

not  based  upon  personal  or  political  hostility.  As  no 
other  reasons  were  given  for  rejecting  this  nomination, 
that  were  entitled  to  any  degree  of  weight,  we  deemed 
it  important  to  say  thus  much  in  defence  of  the  nomi 
nation. 

But  to  pass  over  minor  subjects,  we  come  directly  to 
the  question  which  was  agitated  in  both  houses  of  con 
gress  on  the  passage  of  a  bill  to  renew  the  charter  of 
the  present  bank  of  the  United  States.  After  much  dis 
cussion  this  bill  passed  the  house  and  senate,  and  was 
submitted  to  the  president  for  his  sanction  or  disapproval. 
His  sentiments  on  the  subject  of  a  renewal  of  the  charter 
of  the  United  States  bank,  with  all  its  powers  and  privi 
leges  retained,  were  well  known  ;  he  had  early,  earnestly, 
and  fearlessly  expressed  his  convictions,  that  this  institu 
tion  was  unconstitutional  in  its  origin,  and  clothed  with 
powers,  which  no  corporation  under  a  republican  govern 
ment  ought  to  possess — powers  that  might  be  exerted  in  the 
overthrow  of  our  free  institutions,  and  the  destruction  of 
our  liberties.  When  entering  upon  the  duties  appertain 
ing  to  the  presidency  of  the  nation,  some  of  his  friends 
suggested  to  him  the  policy  of  not  embarrassing  his  ad 
ministration  by  an  early  expression  of  his  views  upon  this 
question,  which  did  not  call  for  immediate  legislative  ac 
tion  ; — "  No,"  exclaimed  the  single-hearted  patriot;  "  my 
sentiments  upon  this  subject  must  be  expressed ;  I  could 
not  quietly  rest  in  my  grave,  were  I  to  die  without  having 
performed  this  duty  which  I  owe  to  my  country."  And 
nobly  indeed  has  that  duty  been  discharged  ; — he  weighed 
the  subject  with  much  deliberation,  and  gave  to  it  that 
patient  and  careful  investigation  which  its  importance  de 
manded  ;  and  then,  with  an  eye  that  looked  only  to  the  glo 
ry  and  safety  of  his  country,  and  its  invaluable  institutions  ; 
regardless  alike  of  his  own  personal  responsibility  or  in 
dividual  aggrandizement,  he  returned  the  bill  with  a  mes- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  387 

sage,  detailing  his  reasons  at  length  for  withholding  his 
sanction  to  its  becoming  a  law.  They  were  powerful, 
convincing,  and  unanswerable.  No  synopsis  which  we 
could  make,  would  do  justice  to  this  admirable  produc 
tion  ;  we  therefore  give  it  entire  : 


Message  from  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
Returning  the  Bank  Bill,  with  his  objections,  &c. 


To  THE  SENATE  : — 

The  bill  to  "  modify  and  continue"  the  act,  entitled, 
"  an  act  to  incorporate  the  subscribers  of  the  Bank  of  the 
United  States,"  was  presented  to  me  on  the  4th  of  July 
instant.  Having  considered  it  with  that  solemn  regard  to 
the  principles  of  the  constitution  which  the  day  was  cal 
culated  to  inspire,  and  come  to  the  conclusion  that  it 
ought  not  to  become  a  law,  I  herewith  return  it  to  the 
Senate,  in  which  it  originated,  with  rny  objections. 

A  Bank  of  the  United  States  is,  in  many  respects,  con 
venient  for  the  government  and  useful  to  the  people. 
Entertaining  this  opinion,  and  deeply  impressed  with  the 
belief  that  some  of  the  powers  and  privileges  possessed 
by  the  existing  Bank  are  unauthorized  by  the  constitu 
tion,  subversive  of  the  rights  of  the  states,  and  dangerous 
to  the  liberties  of  the  people,  I  felt  it  my  duty,  at  an  early 
period  of  my  administration,  to  call  the  attention  of  Con 
gress  to  the  practicability  of  organizing  an  institution 
combining  all  its  advantages,  and  obviating  these  objec 
tions.  I  sincerely  regret  that,  in  the  act  before  me,  I 
can  perceive  none  of  those  modifications  of  the  Bank 
charter  which  are  necessary,  in  my  opinion,  to  make  it 
compatible  with  justice,  with  sound  policy,  or  with  the 
Constitution  of  our  country. 


388  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

The  present  corporate  body,  denominated  the  President, 
Directors,  and  Company  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States, 
will  have  existed,  at  the  time  this  act  is  intended  to 
take  effect,  twenty  years.  It  enjoys  an  exclusive  privilege 
of  banking-  under  the  authority  of  the  General  Govern 
ment,  a  monopoly  of  its  favor  and  support,  and,  as  a  ne 
cessary  consequence,  almost  a  monopoly  of  the  foreign 
and  domestic  exchange.  The  powers,  privileges,  and  fa 
vors  bestowed  upon  it,  in  the  original  charter,  by  increas 
ing  the  value  of  the  stock  far  above  its  par  value,  operat 
ed  as  a  gratuity  of  many  millions  to  the  stockholders. 

An  apology  may  be  found  for  the  failure  to  guard 
against  this  result,  in  consideration  that  the  effect  of  the 
original  act  of  incorporation  could  not  be  certainly  fore 
seen  at  the  time  of  its  passage.  The  act  before  me  pro 
poses  another  gratuity  to  the  holders  of  the  same  stock, 
and,  in  many  cases,  to  the  same  men,  of  at  least  seven 
millions  more.  This  donation  finds  no  apology  in  any  un 
certainty  as  to  the  effect  of  the  act.  On  all  hands  it  is 
conceded  that  its  passage  will  increase  at  least  twenty  or 
thirty  per  cent,  more,  the  market  price  of  the  stock,  sub 
ject  to  the  payment  of  the  annuity  of  $200,000  per  year, 
secured  by  the  act ;  thus  adding,  in  a  moment,  one  fourth 
to  its  par  value.  It  is  not  our  own  citizens  only  who  are 
to  receive  the  bounty  of  our  government.  More  than 
eight  millions  of  the  stock  of  this  Bank  are  held  by 
foreigners.  By  this  act  the  American  republic  proposes 
virtually  to  make  them  a  present  of  some  millions  of 
dollars.  For  these  gratuities  to  foreigners,  and  to  some 
of  our  own  opulent  citizens,  the  act  secures  no  equivalent 
whatever.  They  are  the  certain  gains  of  the  present 
stockholders  under  the  operation  of  this  act,  after  making 
full  allowance  for  the  payment  of  the  bonus. 

Every  monopoly,  and  all  exclusive  privileges,  are 
granted  at  the  expense  of  the  public,  which  ought  to  re- 


ANDREW  JACKSON. 

Ceive  a  fair  equivalent.  The  many  millions  which  this 
act  proposes  to  bestow  on  the  stockholders  of  the  existing 
Bank,  must  come,  directly  or  indirectly,  out  of  the  earn 
ings  of  the  American  people.  It  is  due  to  them,  there 
fore,  if  their  government  sell  monopolies  and  exclusive 
privileges,  that  they  should  at  least  exact  for  them  as 
much  as  they  are  worth  in  open  market.  The  value  of 
the  monopoly  in  this  case  may  be  correctly  ascertained. 
The  twenty-eight  millions  of  stock  would  probably  be  at 
an  advance  of  fifty  per  cent.,  and  command  in  market  at 
least  forty-two  millions  of  dollars,  subject  to  the  payment 
of  the  present  bonus.  The  present  value  of  the  mono 
poly,  therefore,  is  seventeen  millions  of  dollars,  and  this 
the  act  proposes  to  sell  for  three  millions,  payable  in  fif 
teen  annual  instalments  of  $200,000  each. 

It  is  not  conceivable  how  the  present  stockholders  can 
have  any  claim  to  the  special  favor  of  the  government. 
The  present  corporation  has  enjoyed  its  monopoly  during 
the  period  stipulated  in  the  original  contract.  If  we  must 
have  such  a  corporation,  why  should  not  the  government 
sell  out  the  whole  stock,  and  thus  secure  to  the  people 
the  full  market  value  of  the  privileges  granted  ?  Why 
should  not  Congress  create  and  sell  twenty-eight  millions 
of  stock,  incorporating  the  purchasers  with  all  the  powers 
and  privileges  secured  in  this  act,  and  putting  the  pre 
mium  upon  the  sales  into  the  Treasury  ? 

But  this  act  does  not  permit  competition  in  the  purchase 
of  this  monopoly.  It  seems  to  be  predicated  on  the  erro 
neous  idea,  that  the  present  stockholders  have  a  prescrip 
tive  right,  not  only  to  the  favor  but  to  the  bounty  of 
government.  It  appears  that  more  than  a  fourth  part  of 
the  stock  is  held  by  foreigners,  and  the  residue  is  held  by 
a  few  hundred  of  our  own  citizens,  chiefly  of  the  richest 
class  :  for  their  benefit  does  this  act  exclude  the  whole 
American  people  from  competition  in  the  purchase  of  this 


390  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

monopoly,  and  dispose  of  it  for  many  millions  less  than 
it  is  worth.  This  seems  the  less  excusable,  because  some 
of  our  citizens,  not  now  stockholders,  petitioned  that  the 
door  of  competition  might  be  opened,  and  offer  to  take  a 
charter  on  terms  much  more  favorable  to  the  government 
and  country. 

But  this  proposition,  although  made  by  men  whose  ag 
gregate  wealth  is  believed  to  be  equal  to  all  the  private 
stock  in  the  existing  Bank,  has  been  set  aside,  and  the 
bounty  of  our  government  is  proposed  to  be  again  bestowed 
on  the  few  who  have  been  fortunate  enough  to  secure  the 
stock,  and,  at  this  moment,  wield  the  power  of  the  exist 
ing  institution.  I  cannot  perceive  the  justice  or  policy  of 
this  course.  If  our  government  must  sell  monopolies, 
it  would  seem  to  be  its  duty  to  take  nothing  less  than  their 
full  value  ;  and  if  gratuities  must  be  made  once  in  fifteen 
or  twenty  years,  let  them  not  be  bestowed  on  the  subjects 
of  a  foreign  government,  nor  upon  a  designated  and  favor 
ed  class  of  men  in  our  own  country.  It  is  but  justice 
and  good  policy,  as  far  as  the  nature  of  the  case  will  ad 
mit,  to  confine  our  favors  to  our  own  fellow  citizens,  and 
let  each  in  his  turn  enjoy  an  opportunity  to  profit  by  our 
bounty.  In  the  bearings  of  the  act  before  me  upon  these 
points,  I  find  ample  reasons  why  it  should  not  become  a  law. 

It  has  been  urged  as  an  argument  in  favor  of  re-charter 
ing  the  present  Bank,  that  the  calling  in  its  loans  will 
produce  great  embarrassment  and  distress.  The  time 
allowed  to  close  its  concerns,  is  ample,  and  if  it  has  been 
well  managed,  its  pressure  will  be  light,  and  heavy  only 
in  case  its  management  has  been  bad.  If,  therefore,  it 
shall  produce  distress,  the  fault  will  be  its  own,  and  it 
would  furnish  a  reason  against  renewing  a  power  which 
has  been  so  obviously  abused.  But,  will  there  ever  be  a 
time  when  this  reason  will  be  less  powerful?  To  ac 
knowledge  its  force,  is  to  admit  that  the  Bank  ought  to  be 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  391 

perpetual,  and  as  a  consequence,  the  present  stockholders, 
and  those  inheriting  their  rights,  as  successors,  be  estab 
lished  a  privileged  order,  clothed  both  with  great  political 
power  and  enjoying  immense  pecuniary  advantages  from 
their  connexion  with  the  government. 

The  modifications  of  the  existing  charter,  proposed  by 
this  act,  are  not  such,  in  my  view,  as  make  it  consistent 
with  the  rights  of  the  States  or  the  liberties  of  the  people. 
The  qualification  of  the  right  of  the  Bank  to  hold  real 
estate,  the  limitation  of  its  power  to  establish  branches, 
and  the  power  reserved  to  Congress  to  forbid  the  circula 
tion  of  small  notes,  are  restrictions  comparatively  of  little 
value  or  importance.  All  the  objectionable  principles  of 
the  existing  corporation,  and  most  of  its  odious  features, 
are  retained  without  alleviation. 

The  fourth  section  provides,  "  that  the  notes  or  bills  of 
the  said  corporation,  although  the  same  be  on  the  faces 
thereof,  respectively,  made  payable  at  one  place  only,  shall, 
nevertheless,  be  received  by  the  said  corporation  at  the 
Bank,  or  at  any  of  the  offices  of  discount  and  deposit 
thereof,  if  tendered  in  liquidation  or  payment  of  any 
balance  or  balances,  due  to  said  corporation,  or  to  such 
office  of  discount  and  deposit,  from  any  other  incorporated 
Bank."  This  provision  secures  to  the  State  Bank  a 
legal  privilege  in  the  Bank  of  the  United  States,  which 
is  withheld  from  all  private  citizens.  If  a  State  Bank  in 
Philadelphia,  owe  the  Bank  of  the  United  States,  and 
have  notes  issued  by  the  St.  Louis  Branch,  it  can  pay  the 
debt  with  those  notes;  but  if  a  merchant,  mechanic,  or 
other  private  citizen,  be  in  like  circumstances,  he  cannot 
by  law  pay  his  debt  with  those  notes,  but  must  sell  them 
at  a  discount,  or  send  them  to  St.  Louis  to  be  cashed.  This 
boon,  conceded  to  the  State  Banks,  though  not  unjust  in 
itself,  is  most  odious,  because  it  does  not  measure  out  equal 
justice  to  the  high  and  low,  the  rich  and  the  poor.  To 


392  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

the  extent  of  its  practical  effect,  it  is  a  bond  of  union 
among  the  banking  establishments  of  the  nation,  erecting 
them  into  an  interest,  separate  from  that  of  the  people,  and 
its  necessary  tendency  is  to  unite  the  Bank  of  the  United 
States  and  the  State  Banks  in  any  measure  which  may  be 
thought  conducive  to  their  common  interest. 

The  ninth  section  of  the  act  recognizes  principles  of 
worse  tendency  than  any  provision  of  the  present  charter. 

It  enacts  that  "  the  cashier  of  the  Bank  shall  annually 
report  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  the  names  of  all 
stockholders  who  are  not  resident  citizens  of  the  United 
States,  and  on  the  application  of  the  Treasurer  of  any 
state,  shall  make  out  and  transmit  to  such  Treasurer,  a 
list  of  stockholders  residing  in,  or  citizens  of  such  state, 
with  the  amount  of  stock  owned  by  each."  Although 
this  provision,  taken  in  connexion  with  a  decision  of  the 
Supreme  Court,  surrenders,  by  its  silence,  the  right  of  the 
states  to  tax  the  banking  institutions  created  by  this  cor 
poration,  under  the  name  of  branches  throughout  the 
union, — it  is  evidently  intended  to  be  construed  as  a  con 
cession  of  their  right  to  tax  that  portion  of  the  stock 
which  may  be  held  by  their  own  citizens  and  residents. 
In  this  light,  if  the  act  becomes  a  law,  it  will  be  under 
stood  by  the  states,  who  will  probably  proceed  to  levy  a 
tax  equal  to  that  paid  upon  the  stock  of  banks  incorpo 
rated  by  themselves.  In  some  states  that  tax  is  now  one 
per  cent.,  either  on  the  capital  or  on  the  shares,  and  that 
may  be  assumed  as  the  amount  Avhich  all  citizens  or  resi 
dent  stockholders  will  be  taxed  under  the  operation  of  this 
act.  As  it  is  only  the  stock  held  in  the  states,  and  not  that 
employed  within  them,  which  would  be  subject  to  taxation ; 
and  as  the  names  of  foreign  stockholders  are  not  to  be  re 
ported  to  the  Treasurers  of  the  states,  it  is  obvious  that 
the  stock  held  by  them  will  be  exempt  from  this  burden. 
Their  annual  profits  will,  therefore,  be  one  per  cent. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  393 

more  than  the  citizen  stockholders,  and  as  the  annual  di 
vidends  of  the  Bank  may  be  safely  estimated  at  seven  per 
cent.,  the  stock  will  be  worth  ten  or  fifteen  per  cent,  more 
to  foreigners  than  to  citizens  of  the  United  States.  To 
appreciate  the  effects  which  this  state  of  things  will  pro 
duce,  we  must  take  a  brief  review  of  the  operations  and 
present  condition  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States. 

By  documents  submitted  to  Congress  at  the  present  ses 
sion,  it  appears  that  on  the  1st  of  January,  1832,  of  the  28 
millions  of  private  stock  in  the  corporation,  $8,405,500 
were  held  by  foreigners,  mostly  of  Great  Britain.  The 
amount  of  stock  held  in  the  nine  western  and  southwest 
ern  states,  is  $140,200  ;  and  in  the  four  southern  states, 
is  $5,623,100  ;  and  in  the  middle  and  eastern  states,  is 
about  $13,522,000.  The  profits  of  the  Bank  in  1831,  as 
shown  in  a  statement  to  Congress,  were  about  $3,455,598, 
of  this  there  accrued  in  the  nine  western  states,  about 
$1,640,048;  in  the  four  southern  states,  about  $352,507 ; 
and  in  the  middle  and  eastern  states,  about  1,463,041. 
As  little  stock  is  held  in  the  west,  it  is  obvious  that  the 
debt  of  the  people  in  that  section,  to  the  Bank,  is  princi 
pally  a  debt  to  the  eastern  and  foreign  stockholders  ;  that 
the  interest  they  pay  upon  it  is  carried  into  the  eastern 
states  and  into  Europe  ;  and  that  it  is  a  burden  upon  their 
industry  and  a  drain  of  their  currency  which  no  country 
can  bear  without  inconvenience  and  occasional  distress. 
To  meet  this  burden,  and  equalize  the  exchange  opera 
tions  of  the  Bank,  the  amount  of  specie  drawn  from  those 
states  through  its  branches  within  the  last  two  years,  as 
shown  by  its  official  reports,  was  about  $6,000,000.  More 
than  half  a  million  of  this  amount  does  not  stop  in  the 
eastern  states,  but  passes  on  to  Europe  to  pay  the  dividends 
of  the  foreign  stockholders.  In  the  principle  of  taxation 
recognized  by  this  act,  the  western  states  find  no  adequate 
compensation  for  this  perpetual  burden  on  their  industry, 


394  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

and  drain  of  their  currency.  The  Branch  Bank  at  Mo 
bile  made,  last  year,  $95,140;  yet,  under  the  provisions 
of  this  act,  the  state  of  Alabama  can  raise  no  revenue  from 
these  profitable  operations,  because  not  a  share  of  the 
stock  is  held  by  any  of  her  citizens.  Mississippi  and  Mis 
souri  are  in  the  same  condition  in  relation  to  the  branches 
at  Natchez  and  St.  Louis ;  and  such,  in  a  greater  or  less 
degree,  is  the  condition  of  every  western  state. 

The  tendency  of  the  plan  of  taxation  which  this  act  pro 
poses,  will  be  to  place  the  whole  U.  States  in  the  same 
relation  to  foreign  countries,  which  the  western  states  now 
bear  to  the  eastern.  When  by  a  tax  on  resident  stockhold 
ers,  the  stock  of  this  bank  is  made  worth  ten  or  fifteen 
per  cent,  more  to  foreigners  than  to  residents,  most  of  it 
will  inevitably  leave  the  country. 

Thus  will  this  provision,  in  its  practical  effect,  deprive 
the  eastern,  as  well  as  the  southern  and  western  states,  of 
the  means  of  raising  a  revenue  from  the  extension  of  busi 
ness,  and  great  profits  of  this  institution.  It  will  make 
the  American  people  debtors  to  aliens  in  nearly  the  whole 
amount  due  to  this  Bank,  and  send  across  the  Atlantic 
from  two  to  five  millions  of  specie  every  year  to  pay  the 
Bank  dividends. 

In  another  of  its  bearings  this  provision  is  fraught  with 
danger.  Of  the  twenty-five  directors  of  this  Bank,  five 
are  chosen  by  the  government,  and  twenty  by  the  citizen 
stockholders.  From  all  voice  in  these  elections,  the  fo 
reign  stockholders  are  excluded  by  the  charter.  In  pro 
portion,  therefore,  as  the  stock  is  transferred  to  foreign 
holders,  the  extent  of  suffrage  in  the  choice  of  directors  is 
curtailed.  Already  is  almost  a  third  of  the  stock  in  foreign 
hands,  and  not  represented  in  elections.  It  is  constantly 
passing  out  of  the  country,  and  this  act  will  accelerate  its 
departure.  The  entire  control  of  the  institutionwould  ne« 
cessarily  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  few  citizen  stockholders, 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  395 

and  the  ease  with  which  the  object  would  be  accomplish 
ed,  would  be  a  temptation  to  designing  men  to  secure  that 
control  in  their  own  hands  by  monopolizing  the  remaining 
stock.  There  is  danger  that  a  President  and  Directors 
would  then  be  able  to  elect  themselves  from  year  to  year, 
and  without  "responsibility  or  control,  manage  the  whole 
concerns  of  the  Bank  during  the  existence  of  its  charter. 
It  is  easy  to  conceive  that  great  evils  to  our  country  and 
its  institutions  might  flow  from  such  a  concentration  of 
power  in  the  hands  of  a  few  men  irresponsible  to  the  people. 

Is  there  no  danger  to  our  liberty  and  independence  in  a 
Bank,  that  in  its  nature  has  so  little  to  bind  it  to  our  coun 
try  1  The  President  of  the  Bank  has  told  us,  that  most 
of  the  state  banks  exist  by  its  forbearance.  Should  its  in 
fluence  become  concentrated,  as  it  may  under  the  opera 
tion  of  such  an  act  as  this,  in  the  hands  of  a  self-elected 
Directory,  whose  interests  are  identified  with  those  of  the 
foreign  stockholder,  will  there  not  be  cause  to  tremble  for 
the  purity  of  our  elections  in  peace,  and  for  our  indepen 
dence  in  war  ?  Their  power  would  be  great  whenever  they 
might  choose  to  exert  it ;  but  if  this  monopoly  were  regu 
larly  renewed  every  fifteen  or  twenty  years,  on  terms  pro 
posed  by  themselves,  they  might  seldom,  in  peace,  put 
forth  their  strength  to  influence  elections  or  control  the 
affairs  of  the  nation.  But,  if  any  private  citizen,  or  public 
functionary,  should  interpose  to  curtail  its  powers  or  pre 
vent  a  renewal  of  its  privileges,  it  cannot  be  doubted  that 
he  would  be  made  to  feel  its  influence. 

Should  the  stock  of  the  Bank  principally  pass  into  the 
hands  of  the  subjects  of  a  foreign  country,  and  we  should 
unfortunately  become  involved  in  a  war  with  that  country, 
what  would  be  our  condition  ?  Of  the  course  which  would 
be  pursued  by  a  Bank  almost  wholly  owned  by  the  sub 
jects  of  a  foreign  power,  and  managed  by  those  whose  in 
terests,  if  not  affections,  would  run  in  the  same  direction, 


396  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

there  can  be  no  doubt.  All  its  operations  within,  would 
be  in  aid  of  the  hostile  fleets  and  armies  without :  control- 
ing  our  currency  ;  receiving  our  public  moneys,  and  hold 
ing  thousands  of  our  citizens  in  dependance,  it  would  be 
more  formidable  and  dangerous  than  the  naval  and  mili 
tary  power  of  the  enemy. 

If  we  must  have  a  Bank  with  private  stockholders, 
every  consideration  of  sound  policy,  and  every  impulse  of 
American  feeling,  admonish  that  it  should  be  purely 
American.  Its  stockholders  should  be  composed  exclu 
sively  of  our  own  citizens,  who,  at  least,  ought  to  be  friend 
ly  to  our  government,  and  willing  to  support  it  in  times  of 
difficulty  and  danger.  So  abundant  is  domestic  capital,  that 
competition,  in  subscribing  for  the  stock  of  local  banks, 
has  recently  led  almost  to  riots.  To  a  Bank,  exclusively 
of  American  stockholders,  possessing  the  powers  and  pri 
vileges  granted  by  this  act,  subscriptions  for  two  hundred 
millions  of  dollars  could  be  readily  obtained.  Instead  of 
sending  abroad  the  stock  of  the  Bank,  in  which  the  go 
vernment  must  deposit  its  funds,  and  on  which  it  must  rely 
to  sustain  its  credit  in  times  of  emergency,  it  would  ra 
ther  seem  to  be  expedient  to  prohibit  its  sales  to  aliens 
under  penalty  of  absolute  forfeiture. 

It  is  maintained  by  the  advocates  of  the  Bank  that  its  con 
stitutionality  in  all  its  features  ought  to  be  considered  as 
settled  by  precedent,  and  by  the  decision  of  the  Supreme 
Court.  To  this  conclusion,  I  cannot  assent.  Mere  pre 
cedent  is  a  dangerous  source  of  authority,  and  should  not 
be  regarded  as  deciding  questions  of  constitutional  power, 
except  where  the  acquiescence  of  the  people  and  the  States 
can  be  considered  as  well  settled.  So  far  from  this  being 
the  case  on  this  subject,  an  argument  against  the  Bank 
might  be  based  on  precedent.  One  Congress  in  1791  de 
cided  in  favor  of  a  Bank  ;  another  in  1811  decided  against 
it.  One  Congress  in  1815,  decided  against  a  Bank;  ano- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  397 

ther  in  1816  decided  in  its  favor.  Prior  to  the  present 
Congress,  therefore,  the  precedents  drawn  from  that 
source  were  equal.  If  we  resort  to  the  States,  the  expres 
sions  of  Legislative,  Judicial,  and  Executive  opinions 
against  the  Bank,  have  been  probably  to  those  in  its  fa 
vor,  as  four  to  one.  There  is  nothing  in  precedent,  there 
fore,  which,  if  its  authority  were  admitted,  ought  to  weigh 
in  favor  of  the  act  before  me. 

If  the  opinion  of  the  Supreme  Court  covered  the  whole 
ground  of  this  act,  it  ought  not  to  control  the  co-ordinate 
authorities  of  this  government.  The  Congress,  the  Exe 
cutive,  and  the  Court,  must  each  for  itself  be  guided  by  its 
own  opinion  of  the  constitution.  Each  public  officer,  who 
takes  an  oath  to  support  the  constitution,  swears  that  he 
will  support  it  as  he  understands  it,  and  not  as  it  is  under 
stood  by  others.  It  is  as  much  the  duty  of  the  house  of 
representatives,  of  the  senate,  and  of  the  President,  to  de 
cide  upon  the  constitutionality  of  any  bill  or  resolution 
which  may  be  presented  to  them  for  passage  or  approval, 
as  it  is  of  the  supreme  judges,  when  it  may  be  brought  be 
fore  them  for  judicial  decision.  The  opinion  of  the  judg 
es  has  no  more  authority  over  Congress  than  the  opinion 
of  Congress  has  over  the  judges,  and  on  that  point  the  Pre 
sident  is  independent  of  both.  The  authority  of  the  Su 
preme  Court  must  not,  therefore,  be  permitted  to  control 
the  Congress  or  the  Executive,  when  acting  in  their  le 
gislative  capacities,  but  to  have  only  such  influence  as  the 
force  of  their  reasoning  may  deserve. 

But  in  the  case  relied  upon,  the  Supreme  Court  have 
not  decided  that  all  the  features  of  this  corporation  are 
compatible  with  the  constitution.  It  is  true  that  the  Court 
have  said  that  the  law  incorporating  the  Bank  is  a  consti 
tutional  exercise  of  power  by  Congress.  But,  taking  into 
view  the  whole  opinion  of  the  Court,  and  the  reasoning 
by  which  they  have  come  to  that  conclusion,  I  understand 
34 


398  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

them  to  have  decided  that,  inasmuch  as  a  bank  is  an  ap 
propriate  means  for  carrying  into  effect  the  enumerated 
powers  of  the  general  government,  therefore,  the  law  in 
corporating  it  is  in  accordance  with  that  provision  ,of 
the  constitution  which  declares  that  Congress  shall  "have 
power  to  make  all  laws  which  shall  be  necessary  and  pro 
per  for  carrying  those  powers  into  execution."  Having 
satisfied  themselves  that  the  word  "  necessary ',"  in  the 
constitution,  means  "needful"  "  requisite"  "essential" 
"  conducive  to"  and  that  "  a  bank"  is  a  convenient,  a 
useful  and  essential  instrument  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
government's  "  fiscal  operations,"  they  conclude,  that  to 
"  use  one  must  be  within  the  discretion  of  Congress,"  and 
that  "  the  act  to  incorporate  the  Bank  of  the  U.  States  is  a 
law  made  in  pursuance  of  the  constitution  :"  "but,"  say 
they,  "where  the  law  is  not  prohibited,  and  is  really 
calculated  to  effect  any  of  the  objects  entrusted  to  the 
government,  to  undertake  here  to  inquire  into  the  de 
gree  of  its  necessity,  would  be  to  pass  the  line  which 
circumscribes  the  judicial  department,  and  to  tread  on 
legislative  ground." 

The  principle  here  affirmed  is,  that  "  the  degree  of  its 
necessity,"  involving  all  the  details  of  a  banking  institu 
tion,  is  a  question  exclusively  for  legislative  consideration. 
A  bank  is  constitutional ;  but  it  is  the  province  of  the  le 
gislature  to  determine  whether  this  or  that  particular 
power,  privilege  or  exemption  is  "  necessary  and  proper" 
to  enable  the  Bank  to  discharge  its  duties  to  the  govern 
ment,  and  from  their  decision  there  is  no  appeal  to  the 
courts  of  justice.  Under  the  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
therefore,  it  is  the  exclusive  province  of  Congress  and  the 
President  to  decide,  whether  the  particular  features  of  this 
act  are  "  necessary  and  proper,"  in  order  to  enable  the 
Bank  to  perform  conveniently  and  efficiently  the  public 
duties  assigned  to  it  as  a  fiscal  agent,  and  therefore  consti- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  390 

tutional,  or  unnecessary  and  improper ',  and  therefore  un 
constitutional. 

Without  commenting  on  the  general  principle  affirmed 
by  the  Supreme  Court,  let  us  examine  the  details  of  this  act 
in  accordance  with  the  rule  of  legislative  action  which  they 
have  laid  down.  It  will  be  found  that  many  of  the  powers 
and  privileges  conferred  on  it,  cannot  be  supposed  necessary 
for  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  proposed  to  be  created,  and 
are  not  therefore  means  necessary  to  attain  the  end  in  view, 
and  consequently  not  justified  by  the  constitution. 

The  original  act  of  incorporation,  section  21 ,  enacts  "  that 
no  other  Bank  shall  be  established  by  any  future  law  of 
the  United  States  during  the  continuance  of  the  corporation 
hereby  created,  for  which  the  faith  of  the  United  States  is 
hereby  pledged,  Provided,  Congress  may  renew  existing 
charters  for  Banks  within  the  District  of  Columbia,  not 
increasing  the  capital  thereof,  and  may  also  establish  any 
other  Bank  or  Banks  in  said  district,  with  capitals  not  ex 
ceeding  in  the  whole  six  millions  of  dollars,  if  they  shall 
deem  it  expedient."  This  provision  is  continued  in  force,  by 
the  act  before  me,  fifteen  years  from  the  3d  of  March,  1836. 

If  Congress  possessed  the  power  to  establish  one  Bank, 
they  had  power  to  establish  more  than  one,  if,  in  their 
opinion,  two  or  more  bank,  had  been  "  necessary"  to  faci 
litate  the  execution  of  the  powers  delegated  to  them  in  the 
constitution.  If  they  possessed  the  power  to  establish  a 
second  bank,  it  was  a  power  derived  from  the  constitution, 
to  be  exercised  from  time  to  time,  and  at  any  time  when 
the  interests  of  the  country  or  the  emergencies  of  the 
government  might  make  it  expedient.  It  was  possessed 
by  one  Congress  as  well  as  another,  and  by  all  Congresses 
alike,  and  alike  at  every  session.  But  the  Congress  of 
1816  has  taken  it  away  from  their  successors  for  twenty 
years,  and  the  Congress  of  1832  proposes  to  abolish  it  for 
fifteen  years  more.  It  cannot  be  "  necessary"  or  "proper" 


400  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

for  Congress  to  barter  away  or  divest  themselves  of  any  of 
the  powers,  vested  in  them  by  the  constitution,  to  be  exer 
cised  for  the  public  good.  It  is  not  "necessary"  to  the 
efficiency  of  the  Bank,  nor  is  it  "proper"  in  relation  to 
themselves  and  their  successors.  They  may  properly  use 
the  discretion  vested  in  them ;  but  they  may  not  limit  the 
discretion  of  their  successors.  This  restriction  on  them 
selves  and  grant  of  a  monopoly  to  the  Bank,  is,  therefore, 
unconstitutional. 

In  another  point  of  view,  this  provision  is  a  palpable  at 
tempt  to  amend  the  constitution  by  an  act  of  legislation. 
The  constitution  declares  that  the  "  Congress  shall  have 
power  to  exercise  exclusive  legislation  in  all  cases  what 
soever,"  over  the  District  of  Columbia.  Its  constitutional 
power,  therefore,  to  establish  Banks  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  and  increase  their  capital  at  will,  is  unlimited 
and  uncontrollable  by  any  other  power  than  that  which 
gave  authority  to  the  constitution.  Yet  this  act  declares 
that  Congress  shall  not  increase  the  capital  of  existing 
Banks,  nor  create  other  Banks  with  capitals  exceeding  in 
the  whole  six  millions  of  dollars.  The  Constitution  de 
clares,  that  Congress  shall  have  power  to  exercise  exclu 
sive  legislation  over  this  District,  "  in  all  cases  whatso 
ever  ;"  and  this  act  declares  they  shall  not.  Which  is  the 
supreme  law  of  the  land  ?  This  provision  cannot  be 
"  necessary,"  or  "proper,"  or  constitutional,  unless  the 
absurdity  be  admitted,  that  whenever  it  be  "  necessary  and 
proper,"  in  the  opinion  of  Congress,  they  have  a  right  to 
barter  away  one  portion  of  the  powers  vested  in  them  by 
the  Constitution  as  a  means  of  executing  the  rest. 

On  two  subjects  only  does  the  Constitution  recognise  in 
Congress  the  power  to  grant  exclusive  privileges  or  mono 
polies.  It  declares  that  "  Congress  shall  have  power  to 
promote  the  progress  of  science  and  useful  arts,  by  secur 
ing,  for  limited  times,  to  authors  and  inventors,  the  ex* 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  401 

elusive  right  to  their  respective  writings  and  discoveries." 
Out  of  this  express  delegation  of  power,  have  grown  our 
laws  of  patents  and  copyrights.  As  the  Constitution  ex 
pressly  delegates  to  Congress  the  power  to  grant  exclusive 
privileges  in  these  cases  as  the  means  of  executing  the 
substantive  power  "  to  promote  the  progress  of  science  and 
useful  arts,"  it  is  consistent  with  the  fair  rules  of  construe* 
tion  to  conclude  that  such  a  power  was  not  intended  to  be 
granted  as  a  means  of  accomplishing  any  other  end.  On 
every  other  subject  which  comes  within  the  scope  of  Con 
gressional  power,  there  is  an  ever  living  discretion  in  the 
use  of  proper  means  which  cannot  be  restricted  or  abolished 
without  an  amendment  of  the  Constitution.  Every  act  of 
Congress,  therefore,  which  attempts  by  grants  of  mono 
polies,  or  sale  of  exclusive  privileges  for  a  limited  time, 
or  a  time  without  limit,  to  restrict  or  extinguish  its  own 
discretion  in  the  choice  of  means  to  execute  its  delegated 
powers,  is  equivalent  to  a  legislative  amendment  of  the 
constitution,  and  palpably  unconstitutional. 

This  act  authorises  and  encourages  transfers  of  its  stock 
to  foreigners,  and  grants  them  an  exemption  from  all  state 
and  national  taxation.  So  far  from  being  "necessary  and 
proper"  that  the  bank  should  possess  this  power,  to  make 
it  a  safe  and  efficient  agent  of  the  Government  in  its  fiscal 
operations,  it  is  calculated  to  convert  the  Bank  of  the 
United  States  into  a  foreign  bank,  to  impoverish  our  peo 
ple  in  time  of  peace,  to  disseminate  a  foreign  influence 
through  every  section  of  the  republic — and  in  war,  to  en 
danger  our  independence. 

The  several  States  reserved  the  power  at  the  formation 
of  the  constitution,  to  regulate  and  control  titles  and  trans 
fers  of  real  property,  and  most,  if  not  all  of  them,  have 
laws  disqualifying  aliens  from  acquiring  or  holding  lands 
within  their  limits.  But  this  act,  in  disregard  of  the  un 
doubted  rie^ht  of  the  States  to  prescribe  such  disqualifica- 
34* 


402  BIOGRAPHY    Or 

tions,  gives  to  aliens,  stockholders  in  this  Bank,  an  interest 
and  title,  as  members  of  the  corporation,  to  all  the  real 
property  it  may  acquire  within  any  of  the  States  of  this 
Union.  This  privilege  granted  to  aliens  is  not  "  neces 
sary"  to  enable  the  Bank  to  perform  its  public  duties,  nor 
in  any  sense  "proper"  because  it  is  vitally  subversive  of 
the  rights  of  the  States. 

The  government  of  the  United  States  have  no  constitu 
tional  power  to  purchase  lands  within  the  States,  except 
"  for  the  erection  of  forts,  magazines,  arsenals,  dock  yards, 
and  other  needful  buildings,"  and  even  for  these  objects 
only  "  by  the  consent  of  the  legislature  of  the  state  in 
which  the  same  shall  be."  By  making  themselves  stock 
holders  in  the  Bank,  and  granting  to  the  corporation  the 
power  to  purchase  lands  for  other  purposes,  they  assume 
a  power  not  granted  in  the  constitution,  and  grant  to  others 
what  they  do  not  themselves  possess.  It  is  not  necessary 
to  the  receiving,  safe  keeping,  or  transmission  of  the  funds 
of  the  government,  that  the  Bank  should  possess  this 
power,  and  it  is  not  proper  that  Congress  should  thus 
enlarge  the  powers  delegated  to  them  in  the  constitution. 

The  old  Bank  of  the  United  States  possessed  a  capital 
of  only  eleven  millions  of  dollars,  which  was  found  fully 
sufficient  to  enable  it,  with  despatch  and  safety,  to  perform 
all  the  functions  required  of  it  by  the  government.  The 
capital  of  the  present  Bank  is  thirty-five  millions  of  dol 
lars — at  least  twenty-four  more  than  experience  has 
proved  to  be  necessary  to  enable  a  bank  to  perform  its 
public  functions.  The  public  debt  which  existed  during 
the  period  of  the  old  Bank,  and  on  the  establishment  of 
the  new,  has  been  nearly  paid  off,  and  our  revenue  will 
soon  be  reduced.  This  increase  of  capital  is,  therefore, 
not  for  public,  but  for  private  purposes. 

The  government  is  the  only  "  proper"  judge  where  its 
agerits  should  reside  and  keep  their  offices,  because  it  best 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  403 

knows  where  their  presence  will  be  "  necessary."  It  can 
not,  therefore,  be  'necessary'  or  'proper'  to  authorize  the 
Bank  to  locate  branches  where  it  pleases,  to  perform  the 
public  service,  without  consulting  the  government,  and 
contrary  to  its  will.  The  principle  laid  do\vn  by  the  Su 
preme  Court  concedes,  that  Congress  cannot  establish  a 
bank  for  purposes  of  private  speculation  and  gain,  but  only 
as  a  means  of  executing  the  delegated  powers  of  the  gene 
ral  government.  By  the  same  principle,  a  branch  bank 
cannot  constitutionally  be  established  for  other  than  public 
purposes.  The  power  which  this  act  gives  to  establish 
two  branches  in  any  State  without  the  injunction  or  request 
of  the  government,  and  for  other  than  public  purposes,  is 
not  *  necessary1  to  the  due  execution  of  the  powers  delegat 
ed  to  Congress. 

The  bonus  which  is  exacted  from  the  Bank  is  a  confes 
sion  upon  the  face  of  the  act,  that  the  powers  granted  by 
it  are  greater  than  are  '  necessary'  to  its  character  of  a 
fiscal  agent.  The  government  does  not  tax  its  officers  and 
agents  for  the  privilege  of  serving  it.  The  bonus  of  a 
million  and  a  half,  required  by  the  original  charter,  and 
that  of  three  millions  proposed  by  this  act,  are  not  exacted 
for  the  privilege  of  giving  "  the  necessary  facilities  for 
transferring  the  public  funds  from  place  to  place,  within 
the  United  States,  or  the  territories  thereof,  and  for  dis 
tributing  the  same  in  payment  of  the  public  creditors, 
without  charging  commission  or  claiming  allowance  on  ac 
count  of  the  difference  of  exchange"  as  required  by  the  act 
of  incorporation,  but  for  something  more  beneficial  to  the 
stockholders.  The  original  act  declares,  that  it  (the  bonus) 
is  granted  "in  consideration  of  the  exclusive  privileges 
and  benefits  conferred  by  this  act  upon  the  said  Bank," 
and  the  act  before  me  declares  it  to  be,  "  in  consideration 
of  the  exclusive  benefits  and  privileges  continued  by  this 
act  to  the  said  corporation  for  fifteen  years  as  aforesaid." 


404  BIOGRAPHY  or 

It  is,  therefore,  for  "exclusive  privileges  and  benefits" 
conferred  for  their  own  use  and  emolument,  and  not  for 
the  advantage  of  the  government,  that  a  bonus  is  exacted. 
These  surplus  powers,  for  which  the  Bank  is  required  to 
pay,  cannot  surely  be  "  necessary,"  to  make  it  the  fiscal 
agent  of  the  treasury.  If  they  were,  the  exaction  of  a 
bonus  for  them  would  not  be  "proper." 

It  is  maintained  by  some,  that  the  Bank  is  a  means  of 
executing  the  constitutional  power  "  to  coin  money  and 
regulate  the  value  thereof."  Congress  have  established 
a  mint  to  coin  money,  and  passed  laws  to  regulate  the 
value  thereof.  The  money  so  coined,  writh  its  value  so 
regulated,  and  such  foreign  coins  as  Congress  may  adopt, 
are  the  only  currency  known  to  the  constitution.  But  if 
they  have  other  power  to  regulate  the  currency,  it  was 
conferred  to  be  exercised  by  themselves  and  not  to  be 
transferred  to  a  corporation.  If  the  Bank  be  established 
for  that  purpose,  with  a  charter  unalterable,  without  its 
consent,  Congress  have  parted  with  their  power  for  a  term 
of  years,  during  which  the  constitution  is  a  dead  letter. 
It  is  neither  necessary  nor  proper  to  transfer  its  legisla 
tive  power  to  such  a  Bank,  and  therefore  unconstitutional. 

By  its  silence,  considered  in  connexion  with  the  de 
cision  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  the  case  of  McCulloch 
against  the  state  of  Maryland,  this  act  takes  from  the  states 
the  power  to  tax  a  portion  of  the  banking  business  carried 
on  within  their  limits,  in  subversion  of  one  of  the  strong 
est  barriers  which  secured  them  against  federal  encroach 
ments.  Banking,  like  farming,  manufacturing,  or  any 
other  occupation  or  profession,  is  a  business,  the  right  to 
follow  which  is  not  originally  derived  from  the  laws. 
Every  citizen  and  every  company  of  citizens  in  all  our 
states,  possessed  the  right  until  the  state  legislatures 
deemed  it  good  policy  to  prohibit  private  banking  by  law. 
If  the  prohibitory  state  laws  were  now  repealed,  every 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  406 

citizen  would  again  possess  the  right.  The  state  banks  are 
a  qualified  restoration  of  the  right  which  has  been  taken 
away  by  the  laws  against  banking,  guarded  by  such  pro 
visions  and  limitations  as  in  the  opinion  of  the  state  legis 
latures,  the  public  interest  requires.  These  corporations, 
unless  there  be  an  exemption  in  their  charter,  are,  like 
private  bankers  and  banking  companies,  subject  to  state 
taxation.  The  manner  in  which  these  taxes  shall  be  laid 
depends  wholly  on  legislative  discretion.  It  may  be  upon 
the  bank,  upon  the  stock,  upon  the  profits,  or  in  any 
other  mode  which  the  sovereign  power  shall  will. 

Upon  the  formation  of  the  constitution,  the  states 
guarded  their  taxing  power  with  peculiar  jealousy.  They 
surrendered  it  only  as  it  regards  imports  and  exports.  In 
relation  to  every  other  object  within  their  jurisdiction, 
whether  persons,  property,  business  or  profession,  it  was 
secured  in  as  ample  a  manner  as  it  was  before  possessed. 
All  persons,  though  United  States  officers,  are  liable  to  a 
poll  tax  by  the  states  within  which  they  reside  ;  the  lands 
of  the  U.  States  are  liable  to  the  usual  land  tax,  except  in 
the  new  states,  from  whom  agreements,  that  they  will  not 
tax  unsold  lands,  are  exacted  when  they  are  admitted  into 
the  Union  :  horses,  wagons,  any  beasts  or  vehicles,  tools 
or  property,  belonging  to  private  citizens,  though  employ 
ed  in  the  service  of  the  U.  S.,  are  subject  to  state  taxation. 
Every  private  business,  whether  carried  on  by  an  officer 
of  the  general  government  or  not,  whether  it  be  mixed 
with  public  concerns  or  not,  even  if  it  be  carried  on  by  the 
government  of  the  U.  S.  itself,  separately  or  in  partner 
ship,  falls  within  the  scope  of  the  taxing  power  of  the 
state.  Nothing  comes  more  fully  within  it  than  banks  and 
the  business  of  banking,  by  whomsoever  instituted  and 
carried  on.  Over  this  whole  subject  matter,  it  is  just  as 
absolute,  unlimited,  and  uncontrollable,  as  if  the  constitu 
tion  had  never  been  adopted,  because  in  the  formation  of 
that  instrument,  it  was  reserved  without  qualification, 


406  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

The  principle  is  conceded,  that  the  states  cannot  right 
fully  tax  the  operations  of  the  general  government.  They 
cannot  tax  the  money  of  the  government  deposited  in  the 
state  Banks,  nor  the  agency  of  those  Banks  in  remitting  it ; 
but  will  any  man  maintain  that  their  mere  selection  to 
perform  this  public  service  for  the  general  government, 
would  exempt  the  state  Banks  and  their  ordinary  business 
from  state  taxation  ?  Had  the  United  States,  instead  of 
establishing  a  Bank  at  Philadelphia,  employed  a  private 
Banker  to  keep  and  transmit  their  funds,  would  it  have 
deprived  Pennsylvania  of  the  right  to  tax  his  Bank  and 
his  usual  Banking  operations  ?  It  will  not  be  pretended. 
Upon  what  principle,  then,  are  the  banking  establish 
ments  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  States  and  their  usual 
banking  operations,  to  be  exempted  from  taxation.  It  is 
not  their  public  agency  or  the  deposits  of  the  government 
which  the  states  claim  a  right  to  tax,  but  their  banks  and 
their  banking  powers,  instituted  and  exercised  within  state 
jurisdiction  for  their  private  emolument — those  powers  and 
privileges  for  which  they  pay  a  bonus,  and  which  the 
states  tax  in  their  own  banks.  The  exercise  of  these 
powers  within  a  state,  no  matter  by  whom,  or  under 
what  authority,  whether  by  private  citizens  in  their 
original  right,  by  corporate  bodies  created  by  the  states, 
by  foreigners  or  the  agents  of  foreign  governments 
located  within  their  limits,  forms  a  legitimate  object  of 
state  taxation.  From  this,  and  like  sources,  from  the 
persons,  property,  and  business,  that  are  found  residing, 
located,  or  carried  on  under  their  jurisdiction,  must  the 
states,  since  the  surrender  of  the  right  to  raise  a  revenue 
from  imports  and  exports,  draw  all  the  money  necessary  for 
the  support  of  their  governments,  and  the  maintenance  of 
their  independence.  There  is  no  more  appropriate  subject 
of  taxation  than  banks,  banking  and  bank  stock,  and  none 
to  which  the  states  ought  more  pertinaciously  to  cling, 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  407 

It  cannot  be  necessary  to  the  character  of  the  bank,  as  a 
fiscal  agent  of  the  government,  that  its  private  business 
should  be  exempted  from  that  taxation  to  which  all  the 
state  banks  are  liable ;  nor  can  I  conceive  it  "  proper" 
that  the  substantive  and  most  essential  powers  reserved 
by  the  states  shall  be  thus  attacked  and  annihilated  as  a 
means  of  executing  the  powers  delegated  to  the  general 
government.  It  may  be  safely  assumed  that  none  of 
those  sages  who  had  an  agency  in  forming  or  adopting 
our  constitution  ever  imagined  that  any  portion  of  the 
taxing  power  of  the  states,  not  prohibited  to  them  nor 
delegated  to  Congress,  was  to  be  swept  away  and  anni 
hilated  as  a  means  of  executing  certain  powers  delegated 
to  Congress. 

If  our  power  over  means  is  so  absolute  that  the  Supreme 
Court  will  not  call  in  question  the  constitutionality  of  an 
act  of  Congress,  the  subject  of  which  is  "  not  prohibited, 
and  is  really  calculated  to  effect  any  of  the  objects  entrust 
ed  to  the  government,"  although,  as  in  the  case  before  me, 
it  takes  away  powers  expressly  granted  to  Congress,  and 
rights  scrupulously  reserved  to  the  States,  it  becomes  us 
to  proceed  in  our  legislation  with  the  utmost  caution. 
Though  not  directly,  our  own  powers  and  the  rights  of 
the  states  may  be  indirectly  legislated  away  in  the  use  of 
means  to  execute  substantive  powers.  We  may  not  enact 
that  Congress  shall  not  have  the  power  of  exclusive  legis 
lation  over  the  district  of  Columbia,  but  we  may  pledge 
the  faith  of  the  United  States  that,  as  a  means  of  executing 
other  powers,  it  shall  not  be  exercised  for  twenty  years  or 
forever.  We  may  not  pass  an  act  prohibiting  the  states 
to  tax  the  banking  business  carried  on  within  their  limits, 
but  we  may,  as  a  means  of  executing  our  powers  over 
other  objects,  place  that  business  in  the  hands  of  our 
agents,  and  then  declare  it  exempt  from  the  state  taxa 
tion  in  their  hands.  Thus  may  our  own  powers  and  ihe 


409 


BIOGRAPHY    OF 


rights  of  the  states,  which  we  cannot  directly  curtail 
or  invade,  be  frittered  away  and  extinguished  in  the  use 
of  means  employed  by  us  to  execute  other  powers. 

That  a  bank  of  the  U.  States,  competent  to  all  the  duties 
which  may  be  required  by  the  Government,  might  be 
so  organized  as  not  to  infringe  on  our  own  delegated 
powers,  or  the  reserved  rights  of  the  states,  I  do  not  enter 
tain  a  doubt.  Had  the  Executive  been  called  upon  to 
furnish  the  project  of  such  an  institution,  the  duty  would 
have  been  cheerfully  performed.  In  the  absence  of  such 
a  call,  it  was  obviously  proper  that  he  should  confine 
himself  to  pointing  out  those  prominent  features  in  the  act 
presented,  which,  in  his  opinion,  make  it  incompatible 
with  the  Constitution  and  sound  policy.  A  general  dis 
cussion  will  now  take  place,  eliciting  new  light  and 
settling  important  principles ;  and  a  new  Congress, 
elected  in  the  midst  of  such  discussion,  and  furnishing  an 
equal  representation  of  the  people  according  to  the  last 
census,  will  bear  to  the  Capitol  the  verdict  of  public 
opinion,  and  I  doubt  not  bring  this  important  question  to 
a  satisfactory  result. 

Under  such  circumstances,  the  Bank  comes  forxvard 
and  asks  a  renewal  of  its  charter  for  a  term  of  fifteen 
years,  upon  conditions  which  not  only  operate  as  a  gra 
tuity  to  the  stockholders  of  many  millions  of  dollars,  but 
will  sanction  any  abuses,  and  legalize  any  encroachments. 

Suspicions  are  entertained,  and  charges  are  made,  of 
gross  abuse  and  violation  of  its  charter.  An  investiga 
tion,  unwillingly  conceded,  and  so  restricted  in  time  as 
necessarily  to  make  it  incomplete  and  unsatisfactory, 
discloses  enough  to  excite  suspicion  and  alarm. 

In  the  practices  of  the  principal  Bank  partially  un 
veiled,  in  the  absence  of  important  witnesses,  and  in 
numerous  charges,  confidently  made,  and  as  yet  wholly 
uninvestigated,  there  was  enough  to  induce  a  majority  of 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  409 

the  committee  of  investigation,  a  committee  which  was 
selected  from  the  most  able  and  honourable  members 
of  the  house  of  representatives,  to  recommend  a  suspension 
of  further  action  upon  the  bill,  and  a  prosecution  of  the 
inquiry.  A  s  the  charter  had  yet  four  years  to  run,  and 
as  a  renewal  now  was  not  necessary  to  the  successful 
prosecution  of  its  business,  it  was  to  have  been  expected 
that  the  Bank  itself,  conscious  of  its  purity  and  proud  of 
its  character,  would  have  withdrawn  its  application  for 
the  present,  and  demanded  the  severest  scrutiny  into  all  its 
transactions.  In  their  declining  to  do  so,  there  seems  to 
be  an  additional  reason  why  the  functionaries  of  the 
government  should  proceed  with  less  haste  and  more 
caution  in  the  renewal  of  their  monopoly. 

The  bank  is  professedly  established  as  an  agent  of  the 
Executive  branches  of  the  government,  audits  constitution 
ality  is  maintained  on  that  ground.  Neither  upon  the  pro 
priety  of  the  present  action  nor  upon  the  provisions  of  this 
act  was  the  Executive  consulted.  It  has  had  no  opportu 
nity  to  say  that  it  neither  needs  nor  wants  any  agent  clothed 
with  such  powers,  and  favored  by  such  exemptions.  There 
is  nothing  in  its  legitimate  functions  which  make  it  ne 
cessary  or  proper.  Whatever  interest  or  influence, 
whether  public  or  private,  has  given  birth  to  this  act,  it 
cannot  be  found  either  in  the  wishes  or  necessities  of  the 
Executive  Department,  by  which  present  action  is  deemed 
premature,  and  the  powers  conferred  upon  its  agent  not 
only  unnecessary,  but  dangerous  to  the  government  and 
country. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  rich  and  powerful  too  often 
bend  the  acts  of  government  to  their  selfish  purposes. 
Distinctions  in  society  will  always  exist  under  every 
just  government.  Equality  of  talents,  of  education, 
or  of  wealth,  cannot  be  produced  by  human  institutions. 
In  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  gifts  of  Heaven,  and  the  fruits 
35 


410  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

of  superior  industry,  economy,  and  virtue,  every  man  is 
equally  entitled  to  protection  by  law.  But  when  the  laws 
undertake  to  add  to  these  natural  and  just  advantages,  ar 
tificial  distinctions,  to  grant  titles,  gratuities,  and  exclusive 
privileges,  to  make  the  rich  richer,  and  the  potent  more 
powerful,  the  humble  members  of  society,  the  farmers, 
mechanics,  and  labourers,  who  have  neither  the  time  nor 
the  means  of  securing  like  favors  to  themselves,  have  a 
right  to  complain  of  the  injustice  of  their  government. 

There  are  no  necessary  evils  in  government.  Its  evils 
exist  only  in  its  abuses.  If  it  would  confine  itself  to  equal 
protection,  and,  as  Heaven  does  its  rains,  shower  its  fa 
vors  alike  on  the  high  and  the  low,  the  rich  and  the  poor: 
it  would  be  an  unqualified  blessing.  In  the  act  before  me, 
there  seems  to  be  a  wide  and  unnecessary  departure  from 
these  just  principles.  Nor  isour  government  to  be  maintain 
ed,  or  our  Union  preserved,  by  invasions  of  the  rights  and 
powers  of  the  several  States.  In  thus  attempting  to  make 
our  general  government  strong,  we  make  it  weak.  Its  true 
strength  consists  in  leaving  individuals  and  states,  as  much 
as  possible,  to  themselves — in  making  itself  felt,  not  in  its 
power  but  in  its  beneficence,  not  in  its  control  but  in  its  pro 
tection,  not  in  binding  the  States  more  closely  to  the  centre, 
but  leaving  each  to  move  unobstructed  in  its  proper  orbit. 

Experience  should  teach  us  wisdom.  Most  of  the  diffi 
culties  our  government  now  encounters,  and  most  of  the 
dangers  which  impend  over  our  Union,  have  sprung  from 
an  abandonment  of  the  legitimate  objects  of  government  by 
our  national  legislation,  and  the  adoption  of  such  princi 
ples  as  are  embodied  in  this  act.  Many  of  our  rich  men 
have  not  been  content  with  equal  protection  and  equal  be 
nefits  ;  but  have  besought  us  to  make  them  richer  by  acts 
of  Congress.  By  attempting  to  gratify  their  desires,  we 
have  in  the  results  of  our  legislation,  arrayed  section 
against  section,  interest  against  interest,  and  man  against 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  411 

man,  in  a  fearful  commotion  which  threatens  to  shake  the 
foundations  of  our  Union.  It  is  time  to  pause  in  our  ca 
reer,  to  review  our  principles,  and  if  possible  to  revive 
that  devoted  patriotism  and  spirit  of  compromise,  which 
distinguished  the  sages  of  the  revolution,  and  the  fathers 
of  our  Union.  If  we  cannot  at  once,  in  justice  to  inter 
ests  vested  under  improvident  legislation,  make  our  go 
vernment  what  it  ought  to  be,  we  can  at  least  take  a  stand 
against  all  new  grants  of  monopolies,  and  exclusive  privi 
leges,  against  any  prostitution  of  our  government,  to  the 
advancement  of  the  few  at  the  expense  of  the  many,  and 
in  favor  of  compromise  and  gradual  reform  in  our  code 
of  laws  and  system  of  political  economy. 

I  have  now  done  my  duty  to  my  country.  If  sustained 
by  my  fellow-citizens,  I  shall  be  grateful  and  happy ;  if  not 
I  shall  find  in  the  motives  which  impel  me,  ample  grounds 
for  contentment  and  peace.  In  the  difficulties  which  sur 
round  us,  and  the  dangers  which  threaten  our  institutions, 
there  is  cause  for  neither  dismay  nor  alarm.  For  relief 
and  deliverance,  let  us  firmly  rely  on  that  kind  Provi 
dence  which,  I  am  sure,  watches  with  peculiar  care  over 
the  destinies  of  our  republic,  and  on  the  intelligence  and 
wisdom  of  our  countrymen.  Through  His  abundant 
goodness  and  their  patriotic  devotion,  our  liberty  and 
Union  will  be  preserved. 

ANDREW  JACKSON. 
Washington,  July  10,  1832. 

The  sensations  produced  throughout  the  union  on  the 
promulgation  of  the  veto  message,  were  such  as  were 
never  before  created,  by  the  exercise  of  a  similar  execu 
tive  power.  A  large  majority  of  the  American  people, 
it  is  believed,  wished  for  it,  and  expected  it ;  and  yet,  when 
it  came,  they  were  struck  with  wonder  and  admiration  at 
the  fearlessness,  purity,  and  patiotism  of  the  man,  who, 
under  such  circumstances,  had  dared  to  perform  so  much 


412  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

for  his  country.  The  following-  remarks  on  the  subject 
of  the  veto  message,  by  the  conductor  of  a  public  journal, 
politically  opposed  to  General  Jackson,  are  magnanimous 
and  just : 

"  It  is  a  remarkable  state  paper,  and  its  production  will 
long  be  remembered  by  the  people  of  the  United  States, 
and  will,  as  we  hope  and  trust,  teach  many  of  them  that 
we  have  one  man  among  us  at  least,  who  is  resolved  to 
preserve  the  constitution,  and  who  is  not  ready  to  grant 
monopolies  to  the  few,  in  defiance  of  the  constitution,  to 
the  deep  injury  of  the  many,  and  the  total  subversion  of 
the  legitimate  principles  of  republican  independence. 

"  The  hostility  of  General  Jackson  to  the  present  bank 
of  the  United  States,  is  not  only  remarkable  for  its  ardor, 
but  for  its  lofty  carriage,  and  manly  independence.  Any 
other  man  than  Andrew  Jackson,  standing  in  the  relation 
of  a  candidate  for  the  presidency  of  the  United  States, 
would  have  supported  the  bank  bill  from  pure  fear  of  con 
sequences  ;  and  it  is  not  improper  to  add,  in  this  place, 
that  more  than  one  public  personage,  on  the  catalogue  of 
candidates  for  high  offices,  has  supported  the  bank  of  the 
United  States,  from  an  impression  and  firm  belief  that  the 
influence  of  a  monied  power,  the  influence  of  a  mighty 
bank,  would  accelerate  his  march  towards  the  political 
goal  at  which  he  aimed.  If  General  Jackson  was  not  a 
bold  and  fearless  man,  he  would  not  venture  to  assail  an 
institution  possessing  the  immense  wealth  and  patronage 
that  the  United  States  bank  does  ; — if  he  was  not  honest, 
he  would  not  dare  expose  its  iniquity,  its  corruption,  and 
its  base  designs  upon  the  constitution  of  the  country.  If 
Andrew  Jackson  was  not  an  honest  man,  a  man  who  looks 
to  the  happiness  of  his  fellow-citizens,  before  he  stops  to 
count  the  effect  wrhich  this  or  that  step  will  have  on  his 
popularity,  he  would  have  favored  the  bank  bill,  and  thus 
secured  its  patronage,  and  the  friendship  of  its  ten  thou* 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  413 

sand  hangers  on  and  partisans.  If  he  had  advocated  and 
sanctioned  its  re-charter,  he  would  have  secured  the  vote 
of  every  president,  stockholder,  cashier,  under  officer, 
and  porter ;  but  with  an  independence  of  mind,  which 
would  seem  to  scorn  to  purchase  popularity  at  the  expense 
of  the  true  interest  of  the  people,  he  has  opposed  the  pro 
ject  of  re-chartering  the  bank  of  the  United  States,  and 
has  thus  nobly  and  manfully  discharged  his  duty.  We 
admire  him  for  the  design,  and  we  honor  him  for  the  com 
pletion  of  the  act. 

"  The  effect  of  the  veto  cannot  be  mistaken,  nor  can  its 
consequences  fail  to  find  a  timely  appreciation  in  the  bosom 
of  every  patriot,  every  friend  of  the  union.  It  will  place 
the  banking  operations  of  the  country  on  their  proper 
footing — it  will  sustain  the  states  in  the  free  exercise  of 
their  rights,  and  it  will  teach  foreign  capitalists  that  they 
cannot  place  their  funds  in  this  country,  without  their 
being  subject  to  the  same  burdens  and  taxations  that  are 
endured  by  the  American  people.  It  will  teach  all,  that 
monopolies  will  not  be  granted,  and  that  the  few  shall  not 
be  favored  at  the  expense  of  the  many,  and  that  this  is  a 
country  where  equal  rights  and  equal  liberty  is  alike  se 
cured  to  all  classes  of  human  society. 

"  The  rigid  demands  upon  the  dimensions  of  our  columns 
by  another  subject,  forbid  that  we  should  indulge  in  these 
remarks  to  the  extent  that  we  contemplated,  and  we  must 
dismiss  the  message  of  General  Jackson,  with  the  hope 
that  a  document  so  able  and  so  important,  will  be  found  in 
the  hands  of  every  citizen  of  the  United  States.  It  is  a 
production  that  the  American  people  have  just  cause  to  be 
proud  of; — it  reflects  immortal  honor  on  the  head  and 
hand  of  the  president,  and  in  future  ages  will  be  hailed 
as  the  proudest  eminence  in  the  landmarks  of  pre-emi 
nence  and  patriotic  devotion.  In  saying  this  much,  we 
do  ample  and  exact  justice  to  the  president ;  we  yield  to 
35* 


414  BIOGRAPHY  Of 

him  what  his  conduct  has  merited,  and  offer  to  him  the  in 
cense  of  individual  and  humble  approbation.  The  message 
cannot  be  successfully  assailed  by  any  of  the  master  spirits 
of  the  United  States  congress  ;  indeed  they  have  not  at 
tempted  any  thing  of  the  kind,  but  beholding  with  wonder 
the  splendor  of  the  document,  and  the  majesty  of  mind  and 
purity  of  patriotic  devotion,  which  it  so  ardently  breathes, 
they  look  around  them  with  amazement  and  wonder  at 
their  own  insignificance  and  puerility." 

Of  the  person  and  character  of  General  Jackson,  we 
give  what  has  been  heretofore  faithfully  delineated.  In 
person  he  is  remarkably  tall,  erect,  and  thin.  His  weight 
bears  proportion  to  his  height,  and  his  conformation  ap 
pears  to  disqualify  them  for  hardship ;  yet,  accustomed 
to  it  from  early  life,  few  are  capable  of  enduring  fatigue 
to  the  same  extent,  or  with  less  injury.  His  dark  blue 
eyes,  with  brows  arched,  and  slightly  projecting,  possess 
a  marked  expression ;  but  when  from  any  causes  excited, 
they  sparkle  with  peculiar  lustre  and  penetration.  In  his 
manners  he  is  pleasing — in  his  address  commanding  ; 
while  his  countenance,  marked  with  firmness  and  deci 
sion,  beams  with  a  strength  and  intelligence  that  strikes 
at  first  sight.  In  his  deportment,  there  is  nothing  repul 
sive.  Easy,  affable,  and  familiar,  he  is  accessible  to  all. 
Influenced  by  the  belief  that  merit  should  constitute  the 
only  difference  in  men,  his  attention  is  equally  bestowed 
on  honest  poverty,  and  titled  consequence.  No  man, 
however  inconsiderable  his  standing,  ever  approached  him 
on  business,  that  he  did  not  patiently  listen  to  his  story, 
and  afford  him  all  the  information  in  his  power.  His  mo 
ral  character  is  without  reproach,  and  by  those  who  know 
him  most  intimately,  he  is  most  esteemed.  Benevolence 
in  him  is  a  prominent  virtue.  He  was  never  known  to  pass 
distress  without  seeking  to  relieve  it.  The  tiuth  of  this  re 
mark  is  admirably  illustrated  in  the  following  anecdotes  : 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  415 

A  young-  missionary,  from  the  Dutch  reformed  church, 
while  on  his  way  some  years  ago  to  his  station  among 
some  of  the  western  Indians,  fell  sick  near  Nashville, 
Tennessee.  His  funds  were  small,  and  the  Classis  of 
Albany,  or  thereabouts,  from  which  he  came,  were  slow 
in  remittances.  His  money  soon  went  away  for  medicine 
and  boarding* ;  his  horse  followed ;  and  after  a  while  he 
had  little  remaining  of  the  things  of  this  world  but  a  re 
lapsed  bilious  fever,  and  a  scanty  pair  of  saddle  bags. 
He  called  his  landlord,  and  announced  his  condition :  his 
remnant  of  clothing,  he  said,  would  scarcely  defray  the 
expenses  of  his  burial :  and  if  he  continued  longer  a  liv 
ing  inmate  of  the  tavern,  it  must  be  without  the  hope  of 
compensation  to  those  around  him.  The  innkeeper  was 
embarrassed ;  for  his  own  slender  means  did  not  invite 
to  the  exercise  of  costly  hospitality ;  yet  his  conscience 
refused  to  turn  the  sick  stranger  from  his  house.  A  plan 
at  last  struck  him  for  the  relief  of  both  parties  :  "  You 
must  be  carried,"  he  said,  "  to  the  Hermitage,  to  General 
Jackson's."  It  was,  indeed,  a  severe  trial  for  the  young 
missionary,  to  become  the  volunteer  guest  of  so  formida 
ble  a  personage,  one  of  whose  dark  and  bloody  deeds 
such  frightful  relations  had  been  made.  But  there  was 
no  alternative  :  he  had  no  right  to  remain  where  he  was  ; 
and  when  the  general's  carriage  arrived  to  convey  him 
away,  he  entered  it  with  a  determined  feeling  of  a  mar 
tyr.  His  disease  was  violent  and  obstinate ;  but  after  a 
fortnight  of  almost  unremitting  delirium,  during  which 
his  imagination  was  busy  with  scalps,  and  tomahawks, 
and  deeds  of  blood,  his  constitution  triumphed.  Awak 
ing  to  a  consciousness  of  his  situation,  he  found  himself 
in  an  airy,  comfortable  apartment,  where  every  thing  was 
quiet,  simple,  and  unostentatious.  The  elderly  matron, 
who  sat  watching  silently  by  his  pillow,  might  have  serv 
ed  for  a  model  of  that  charity,  which  suffereth  long  and 


416  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

is  kind ;  and  her  venerable  partner,  who  came  in  soon 
after,  had  nothing  about  him  of  the  fierce  and  vindictive 
expression,  with  which  a  morbid  fancy  had  painted  him. 
As  his  strength  returned,  the  stranger  had  many  oppor 
tunities  of  studying  the  character  of  his  host,  and  of  ob 
serving  the  estimation  in  which  others  held  him.  He  saw 
him  frank,  intelligent,  and  kind-hearted;  the  guardian 
of  the  orphan,  the  adviser  of  the  friendless,  and  the  favo 
rite  depository  of  all  those  trusts,  which  are  considered 
most  responsible  and  sacred  among  men.  He  found  his 
house  the  refuge  of  the  widow  and  the  poor,  and  his  table 
the  pattern  of  the  simple  but  cordial  hospitality  of  the 
west.  He  stood  with  him  in  the  morning  and  evening- 
circle  of  family  devotion,  and  heard  him  pray  for  the  for 
giveness  of  his  enemies.  He  smiled  at  his  own  delusion, 
as  he  contrasted  the  excellent  old  chief  with  the  portrait 
which  his  imagination  had  delineated.  Some  four  weeks 
afterwards,  the  young  clergyman  was  seen,  renewed  in 
health,  well  mounted,  and  his  purse  well  filled  by  the  ge 
neral's  liberality,  plodding  his  way  to  the  missionary  sta 
tion.  His  first  letter  to  his  friends  told  of  all  these  things, 
and  invoked  the  blessings  of  Heaven  on  the  good  Samari 
tan  who  had  relieved,  him  in  his  hour  of  need. 

Another  illustration  of  the  warmth  and  benevolence  of 
his  heart  is  exhibited  in  his  visit  to  the  orphan  asylum  at 
Washington,  soon  after  he  assumed  the  duties  of  chief 
magistrate.  This  asylum  is  under  the  supervision  of  a 
most  amiable  order  of  religious  women,  denominated  the 
"  sisters  of  charity."  They  are  chiefly  known  for  their 
maternal  care  of  the  sick,  but  the  instruction  of  youth 
forms  a  prominent  object  in  their  beneficent  vocation. 
This  institution,  at  which  twenty-three  orphan  girls  were 
supported  and  educated,  and  about  thirty  day  scholars  re 
ceived  instruction,  being  considerably  in  debt,  a  number 
of  pious  ladies  undertook  the  conduct  of  a  fair  for  its  re- 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  41? 

lief.  It  being  ascertained  that  the  president  elect  intend 
ed  to  assist  at  the  charitable  enterprise,  the  little  suppli 
cants  for  the  bounty  of  the  public,  determined  to  prepare 
for  him  an  appropriate  reception.  Accordingly,  as  in  his 
progress  through  the  crowded  rooms  he  approached  the 
principal  table,  about  fifty  young  female  voices  burst 
forth  in  the  following  stanzas,  which,  if  they  may  not  be 
of  the  highest  order  of  poetry,  yet  are  duly  characterized 
by  two  of  its  essential  attributes,  truth  and  appropriate 
feeling. 

He  comes  !  the  chief— his  country's  defender — 
The  boast  of  the  free  and  the  pride  of  the  brave — 
Hist'ry  has  written  his  name  in  splendor, 
The  hero  who  fought  his  country  to  save. 

Then  weave  for  his  brow  the  laurel's  green  leafj 
For  deeds  in  the  field  his  valor  has  won — 
Then  weave  for  his  brow  the  oak's  civic  wreath 
For  the  hero,  the  sage,  Columbia's  son. 

Ah !  check'd  is  our  joy — the  tender  vine  's  gone, 
So  sweetly  that  hung  on  the  boughs  of  the  pine — 
The  mother  of  orphans  for  ever  we'll  mourn, 
Sorrow  in  cypress  our  hearts  shall  entwine ! 

At  this  sudden  and  delicate  allusion  to  his  deceased 
partner,  the  veteran's  firmness  failed — he  burst  into  tears. 
That  voice  which  had  often  swelled  upon  the  roar  of  bat 
tle,  inciting  his  soldiers  to  victory,  was  choked  with  deep 
emotion.  At  length,  subduing  his  feelings  with  a  power 
ful  effort,  he  grasped  the  hand  of  the  nearest  orphan  and 
exclaimed,  "  Yes  my  child,  I  will  be  a  father  to  you." 
A  liberal  benefaction  afforded  proof  of  his  sincerity. 

It  is  imputed  to  General  Jackson,  that  he  derives  from 
his  birth  a  temper  irritable  and  hasty,  which  has  had  the 
effect  to  create  enemies,  and  involve  him  in  disputes.  In 
him,  however,  these  defects  of  character  exist  to  an  ex 
tent  as  limited  as  with  most  men  ;  and  the  world  is  in 
error  in  presuming  him  under  a  too  high  control  of  feel- 


418  BIOGRAPHY    OF 

ing  and  passion.  A  fixed  devotion  to  those  principles 
which  honor  sanctions,  renders  him  scrupulously  atten 
tive  to  his  promises  of  every  description. 

No  man  has  been  more  misconceived  in  character. 
Many,  on  becoming  acquainted  with  him,  have  been  heard 
to  admit  the  previous  opinions  which  they  had  entertain 
ed,  and  how  great  had  been  their  mistake.  Rough  in 
appearance,  positive  and  overbearing  in  his  manner,  are 
what  all,  upon  a  first  introduction,  expect  to  find ;  and  yet 
none  are  possessed  of  milder  manners,  or  of  more  conci 
liating  address.  The  public  situations  in  which  he  has 
been  placed,  and  the  circumstances  which  surrounded 
him,  are  doubtless  the  cause  that  those  opinions  have 
become  so  prevalent ;  but  they  are  opinions  which  an 
acquaintance  with  him  tends  to  remove.  The  difficul 
ties  under  which  he  labored  at  New  Orleans,  were  such 
as  might  well  have  perplexed,  and  thrown  the  mind  aside 
from  every  thing  of  mildness. 

Light  and  trifling  pleasantries  often  mark  character  as 
distinctly  as  things  of  consequence.  General  Jackson 
one  day,  during  the  siege  of  New  Orleans,  was  approach 
ed  by  an  officer  of  the  militia,  who  stated  his  desire  to 
leave  the  service,  and  return  home  ;  for  that  he  was  made 
game  of,  and  called  by  the  company,  pewter  foot.  He  ma 
nifested  great  concern,  and  an  anxious  desire  to  be  relieved 
from  his  unpleasant  situation.  The  general,  with  much 
apparent  sympathy  for  him,  replied,  that  he  had  ascertained 
there  was  a  practice  in  the  camp  of  giving  nicknames ;  and 
had  understood  too,  that  very  many  had  dared  to  call  him 
Old  Hickory  ;  "  Now,"  said  he,  "  if  you  prefer  mine,  I 
am  willing  to  exchange  ;  if  not,  remain  contented,  and 
perform  your  duty  faithfully,  and,  as  soon  as  we  can  get 
clear  of  those  troublesome  British,  our  wrongs  shall  bo 
inquired  into  by  a  court-martial,  and  the  authors  punish 
ed  ;  for  then,  and  not  till  then,  shall  we  have  an  end  of 


ANDREW    JACKSON.  419 

those  insults."  The  effect  was  happy,  and  induced  the 
complaining  officer  to  retire,  perfectly  satisfied  to  learn, 
that  his  grievance  would  be  united  with  the  general's, 
and  both  ere  long  be  effectually  redressed. 

General  Jackson  possesses  ambition,  but  it  rests  on 
virtue  ;  an  ambition  which,  regulated  by  a  high  sense  of 
honorable  feeling,  leads  him  to  desire  that  "  applause 
which  follows  good  actions — not  that  which  is  run  after/' 
No  man  is  more  ready  to  hear  and  respect  the  opinions 
of  others,  and  none,  where  much  is  at  stake,  and  in  con 
flict  with  his  own,  less  disposed  to  be  under  their  influ 
ence.  He  has  never  been  known  to  call  a  council  of 
war,  whose  decisions,  when  made,  were  to  shield  him 
from  censure.  His  council  of  war,  if  doubting  himself, 
was  a  few  officers,  in  whom  he  fully  confided,  whose  ad 
vice  was  regarded  if  their  reasons  were  conclusive  ;  but, 
these  not  being  satisfactory,  he  at  once  adopted  and  pur 
sued  the  course  suggested  by  his  own  mind. 

It  is  well  known,  many  apprehended  that  our  govern 
ment,  under  the  administration  of  General  Jackson,  would 
pass  to  a  military  despotism.  No  fears  were  ever  more 
groundless.  Mr.  Robertson,  an  eminent  foreign  writer, 
from  whom,  when  he  expresses  sentiments  commendatory 
of  our  institutions  and  distinguished  characters,  we  may 
look  with  confidence  for  impartiality,  in  closing  his 
sketch  of  General  Jackson,  remarks  :  "  He  has  now  ad 
ministered  the  government  for  nearly  three  years,  and 
has  shown  nothing  of  the  disposition  to  act  the  military 
chieftain.  No  gens  d'arms  guard  his  door,  no  halber 
diers  his  person.  He  has  never  as  yet  amused  the  good 
citizens  of  Washington  with  a  military  execution,  himself 
preceded  by  laurelled  lictors  with  their  fasces  and  axes, 
and  with  the  master  of  the  horse  at  his  heels.  If  the  ap 
prehensions  of  those  who  foretold  such  things  were  ho 
nest,  they  are  happily  disappointed.  If  they  mistook  not 


420  BIOGRAPHY  OF 

the  man,  as  I  believe  they  did,  they  certainly  misunder 
stood  the  genius  of  the  people.  They  forgot  the  omnipo* 
tence  of  public  opinion  in  a  great  and  a  free  country. 
Every  thing  political  must  be  shaped  by  it,  every  thing 
exist  by  it.  Public  opinion  may  be  as  volatile  as  the  air 
around  us,  but  nevertheless  as  vital  to  republican  institu 
tions  as  that  is  to  animal  life.  Mind  in  this  country  is 
operating  upon  mind,  and  opinion  struggling  with  opi 
nion  for  light  and  knowledge.  Every  faculty  of  man  is 
in  a  state  of  improvement.  Intelligence  meets  with,  and 
combats  ignorance,  and  ignorance  becomes  illumined  by 
the  conflict,  infidelity  is  overcome  by  faith,  and  truth 
elicited  by  error.  In  such  a  state,  while  every  man  i* 
testing  his  own  powers,  and  examining  the  rights  and  ca 
pacities  of  others,  and  attempting  to  place  all  things  on 
the  basis  of  philanthropy  and  justice,  although  there  may 
be  a  good  share  of  evil  abroad,  yet  the  dread  of  the  talents, 
fame,  or  influence  of  any  one  man,  is  not  one  of  these 
evils. 

"  If  military  ambition  once  burned  in  the  breast  of  Ge 
neral  Jackson,  it  should  be  recollected  that  he  has  reached 
that  period  of  life,  when-  the  flame  would  begin  to  dimi 
nish.  He  is  more  than  double  the  age  of  Alexander 
when  he  died,  and  much  older  than  Caesar  when  he  fell. 
Age  always  holds  on  what  it  has  gained,  but  seldom  de 
sires  to  make  exertions  for  new  honors,  particularly  mili 
tary  ones.  I  have  entered  into  this  subject  more  particu 
larly,  not  that  I  ever  thought  he  would  give  the  nation  a 
military  cast  of  character,  any  more  than  a  civilian,  but 
because  the  politicians  of  England  ;  and  in  fact  in  all  Eu 
rope,  affected  to  believe  that  this  nation  was  rapidly  pass 
ing  to  a  military  despotism,  because  they  had  elected 
General  Jackson  for  their  president,  and  argued  from  it 
the  downfall  of  the  liberties  of  the  country,  citing  ancient 
instances  of  the  insatiable  appetite  of  military  chieftains. 


ANDREW  JACKSON.  421 

There  is  no  parallel  in  the  cases — there  is  no  force  in  the 
argument." 

The  exalted  reputation  acquired  by  General  Jackson 
in  the  field,  has  been  admirably  sustained  in  the  cabinet. 
It  has  been  remarked  with  much  truth,  that,  "under  his 
administration,  frauds  have  been  detected  and  purged — 
extravagances  have  been  suppressed — monopolies  ruined 
— privileged  orders  exposed — the  national  debt  reduced — 
the  authority  of  the  state  governments,  and  the  rights  of 
individuals,  have  not  been  invaded — interference  in  re 
ligions  avoided — advantageous  treaties  with  civilized 
powers,  and  with  the  Indian  tribes,  have  been  negotiated 
and  ratified — and  the  constitution  reverenced." 

Having  thus  imperfectly  sketched  the  prominent  inci 
dents  in  the  career  of  this  remarkable  individual,  we  are 
now  arrived  at  that  point  where  our  relation  must  cease. 
We  have  seen  him  in  every  varied  scene  that  checkers 
the  course  of  human  existence — in  every  situation  that 
develops  the  energies  of  the  human  mind — tries  its  firm 
ness — tests  its  fortitude,  and  reveals  its  hidden  springs  of 
action.  From  the  undaunted  stripling  in  the  ranks  of  our 
revolutionary  fathers — the  sole  survivor  of  his  kindred 
who  fell  in  that  sanguinary  conflict,  we  have  seen  the 
insulated,  unfriended  child  of  fortune,  rise  by  his  own 
energies  to  the  acme  of  military  renown  ;  thence  onward 
to  the  period  when  the  confidence  and  gratitude  of  his 
country  made  him  the  recipient  of  the  choicest  favor  in 
her  bestowment ;  and  his  stern  integrity,  firmness  of  pur 
pose,  unwavering  courage,  soundness  of  judgment,  up 
rightness  of  heart,  and  love  of  his  country,  have  been  ad 
mirably  manifested  in  all  the  leading  incidents  of  his 
eventful  life,  and  have  proclaimed  him  the  fearless  as- 
serter  and  defender  of  the  rights  of  man. 

He  still  presides  over  our  united  country,  and  a  brief 
period  only  is  t& ,/elapse,  before  it  will  be  decided  whether 
3(5 


422  BIOGRAPHY,  &C. 

he  will  again  be  called  to  the  station  he  now  occupies,  or 
retire  to  the  Hermitage  on  the  banks  of  the  Cumberland, 
and  in  the  quietude  of  that  delightful  seclusion,  await,  in 
the  calmness  of  conscious  rectitude  and  honor,  the  close 
of  his  brilliant  and  eventful  day. 


FINIS. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DIPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


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